Norwich Society urges police to act following Trowse fire
The Norwich Society, a heritage group, has expressed anger and frustration after a fire severely damaged the disused Trowse Pumping Station. The group had previously warned of the risk to the grade II listed building, and the national Victorian Society had included it in a list of the top 10 most endangered buildings. The site was bought by Serryus Property Company in 2003 and has since become derelict, with the company also owning neighboring sites where they plan to build homes. This is the second fire on the site in recent months, with the roof being severely damaged and the fire service unable to confirm if the fire is being treated as arson yet.
The Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service were at the scene of the fire for almost eight hours and used aerial platforms to tackle the blaze. The site is currently unsafe, preventing an investigation into the cause of the fire. This follows a series of similar incidents at derelict sites in the area in recent years, leading to concerns about the preservation of historical architecture in Norwich. The pumping station first opened in 1869 and played a crucial role in the city’s water cleaning process, making its preservation even more significant.
Local county councillor Ben Price has expressed his disappointment at the fire, emphasizing the moral duty of landowners to protect and preserve historical architecture for future generations. The Norwich Society also hopes that the police will fully investigate the circumstances surrounding the fire to ensure that lessons are learned and more of Norwich’s history can be preserved. The site of the fire is on the fringes of Price’s Thorpe Hamlet division, and he, along with other concerned individuals and groups, is pushing for the police and fire services to treat the case with respect.
In conclusion, the Trowse Pumping Station fire has caused significant damage to the historic building, resulting in frustration and sadness for the Norwich Society and local residents. The incident has raised concerns about the preservation of historical architecture and the moral duty of landowners to protect and maintain such buildings. Efforts are being made to ensure that lessons are learned from this incident, and there is hope that Norwich’s rich history can be preserved for future generations to enjoy.