Investigators probe Bluecoat blaze

May 15 2008 by Richard Down, Liverpool Daily Post

FIRE investigators are continuing to build up a picture of what led up to the blaze that hit the Bluecoat arts centre in Liverpool.

Peter Owens of the fire service said the process was likely to be wound up today, but a great deal of evidence needed to be sifted through. He said: “It’s not just about looking at the physical evidence in front of them it’s a case of interviewing all the staff to find out what led up to the fire, who left last and that sort of thing.”

The fire gutted the first floor kitchen of the School Lane building just eight weeks after an acclaimed £12.5m redevelopment.

A new fire alarm alerted firefighters who arrived at about 4am on Tuesday. Their prompt action is credited with limiting the damage to the kitchen.

A Bluecoat spokes- woman said last night: “We don’t yet have date on which we will re-open but we’re working towards getting back on our feet as soon as possible.

“We are expecting the first professional cleaners to start tomorrow and the real job of cleaning up can get under way.”