Repairs begin at fire-hit halls of residence

Tom MacDougallNorth East and Cumbria
BBC An aerial image of Henderson Hall after the fire. Its roof has been completely destroyed. Rubble has been left on the floor of the exposed upper floors. In the background is parkland and trees.BBC
Work has started to repair Henderson Hall after it was damaged by fire in 2023

Work has started to repair a Grade II listed building left roofless after a major fire.

Henderson Hall in Newcastle was damaged in 2023, when 50 firefighters worked for several days to bring it under control.

The former Newcastle University halls of residence in Heaton is now being restored, starting with the roof, external doors, and windows.

The initial project is expected to take 12 to 18 months to complete.

A university spokesperson said: "Our immediate priority is to ensure the building is permanently weatherproof and watertight, while carrying out the repairs with the care and sensitivity the building requires."

After the building is secure, the university said work would be done to restore the interior which has been damaged by water.

Henderson Hall was the first purpose-built student halls for male students of what was then Armstrong College in the early 1930s and remained in use as accommodation until the late 2010s.

It was left empty after its closure and was disused at the time of the fire.

Two teenage boys admitted setting the fire - which caused about £15m of damage - in 2024.

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