University blaze cause still unknown (From York Press)

University of York blaze cause still unknown

9:34am Wednesday 8th February 2012 in Education news

WORK to determine what started the fire which caused significant damage to the chemistry department at the University of York could begin today.

Efforts have been made to stabilise the roof of the department due to concerns about structural damage and asbestos being disturbed following the fire last Thursday.

A spokesman for the university said: “The difficulty has been making sure that the structure is absolutely safe before people go in and make assessments of damage and time needed for the clean up.”

Laboratory work is currently postponed while the work is carried out, the spokesman said.

Hundreds of people were evacuated and 11 fire crews and an aerial ladder platform were sent out.