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Fire-ravaged Bury St Edmunds restaurant 'unsafe' Bury St Edmunds Cupola House 'unsafe' after Strada fire
(about 11 hours later)
A fire-ravaged 17th Century building in Suffolk has been declared "unsafe" by firefighters. Structural engineers are to attempt to dismantle part of a 17th Century building declared unsafe after a fire.
Crews remain at the scene amid fears the structure, used as a Strada restaurant, in Bury St Edmunds could collapse. There have been fears Cupola House in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk could collapse after a fire tore through it on Saturday night.
The blaze was reported at 21:00 BST on Saturday. The 120 people inside were led to safety before crews arrived. Suffolk County Council said work to bring down a quarter of the façade started earlier.
Suffolk County Councillor Colin Spence said the fire was "devastating for local people, visitors and the town". Fires deep within the building, which houses a Strada restaurant, are expected to burn for another five days.
Crews said it spread quickly after igniting in the cellar of the five-storey 17th Century building, known as Cupola House. Street lights are being removed to allow a long-reach crane on to the site.
A fire service spokesman said: "Once the fire had taken hold there was significant structural collapse to the rear of the premises. Two fire engines and a high-reach aerial appliance are at the scene and have worked on tackling hot spots and preventing the fire's spread, the council said.
"The now unsupported front facade of the building has buckled and is in an unsafe position, resulting in the area close to the building being cordoned off." A cordon was put in place around the site, but the council said 26 businesses that were forced to shut because of the fire had re-opened.
'Community spirit'
Fourteen shops and businesses near the Strada remain closed.
John Wilcock, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service's incident commander, said: "This has been a real team effort.
"Despite the very sad reason we're all here, the sense of community spirit has helped people soldier on.
"We're doing everything we can to help the local businesses affected by this fire to open as quickly as possible."
More than 100 people inside the Strada were led to safety before crews arrived on Saturday.
County councillor Colin Spence said the fire had damaged an iconic building and was "devastating for local people, visitors and the town".
Fire crews said it spread quickly after igniting in the cellar of the five-storey building.
About 80 firefighters tackled the blaze at its height.About 80 firefighters tackled the blaze at its height.
Crews are expected to remain at the scene throughout the "early part of the week" to protect neighbouring properties and tackle "deep seated pockets of fire".
Mr Spence, a Conservative councillor, said: "This is a real tragedy and an iconic building has been very badly damaged by this fire.
"This is undoubtedly devastating for local people, visitors and the town as a whole.
"I am grateful that the immediate action of Strada staff ensured that everyone was evacuated safely and quickly and the professional and swift action of firefighters stopped the fire spreading to neighbouring properties."
About 20 shops were unable to open on Sunday and some were expected to remain closed on Monday.