Fire investigation shows blaze at abandoned Grosvenor Hotel was ‘deliberate’

A fire which ripped through the derelict Grosvenor Hotel, on Victoria Street, last month is believed to have been started deliberately. Avon Fire and Rescue confirmed to Bristol World today (November 4) that a fire investigation had been completed and, given the history of callouts to the address, the service has determined someone was behind the fire.

A fencing perimeter remains in place around the abandoned hotel due to the structure’s instability - cordoning off a usually busy pathway, leading to many pedestrians walking alongside traffic instead of crossing over to Temple Gate.

In a brief statement, the fire service said: “After a fire investigation, including previous recent calls to the same premises, investigators have determined the cause of the fire on Victoria Street, Bristol, on October 18, to be deliberate.”

Bristol City Council announced earlier this year that it intends on purchasing the site, which has been decaying for around 20 years, as part of a Temple Square redevelopment. The authority reaffirmed these plans after the fire, insisting it was ‘committed’ to completing its plans.

Avon and Somerset Police have been contacted regarding the incident.