Fire rips through Grade II listed Trowse pumping station in Norwich

Fire crews were fighting flames throughout last night

Drone footage of the fire last night
Author: Matt SoanesPublished 13th Nov 2023

Fire crews say they took 'swift action' to stop the spread of a fire that broke out at the Grade II listed Trowse pumping station in Bracondale, Norwich last night.

Norfolk Fire & Rescue say two aerial ladders were called to the scene at around 9pm on Sunday, with firefighters called in from Carrow Diamond Jubilee Fire Station, North Earlham, Sprowston, Hethersett, Great Yarmouth, Gorleston, and Fakenham.

Flames spread up from the four floor but fire crews managed to regain control and extinguish the fire by around 5am.

The cause of the fire is currently unknown.

The Victorian-era pumping station was built in the 1860s by engineer Joseph Bazalgette.

The site opened in 1869 and was designed to deal with the issue of raw sewage being dumped into the rivers of Norwich.

It includes a complex of sewage pumping stations, boiler houses, workshops and engine houses - one built in 1869, the other in 1909.

The site was last used as a furniture workshop but is now derelict.

The structure is on The Victorian Society’s Top Ten Endangered buildings list for 2023.

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