Repairs update on blaze-hit building
Support work could be finished in March
Building support work at the fire-damaged premises in Stirling’s Murray Place is to take longer than anticipated.
Stirling councillors were told in an update last week that it could be until mid to late March before the support work is finished.
More extensive damage to the building became evident last Tuesday, four days after the blaze. The building had been inspected on Sunday, February 18.
The damage became apparent after the roof and debris had been removed by demolition contractors on the Monday.
The update to councillors explained: ‘This further damage does not increase any of the risks to the public or the adjacent residents, nor does it increase the risk of collapse, but it does affect how the temporary structural supports and facade retention can be connected to the buildings.
‘It will also increase the amount of work required for the permanent repair of the buildings in due course.’
The top level storage space of the three-floor building – which housed Kings’ barbershop on the ground floor and bongs and water pipes store Wujo on the first floor – was engulfed in flames on Friday February 16.
A ‘more complex’ temporary support solution was required at the building according to the update.
It added: ‘It is estimated that it could be another three weeks before these works are complete.
‘It is also now likely that there will be an impact on the footway at the foot of the building beyond this period due to external supports which could affect the footway for several months until the building is permanently repaired.
‘Our building standards team have met with the building owner, their insurance company and their engineering team, and the design of the temporary structural work has commenced – this is due to take a week to complete and works will commence on the installation of the temporary support structure immediately thereafter.
‘We will do all we can to have the works and the road reopened as soon as possible, but until the building is made safe the current cordon must remain in place for public safety.’
The update also pointed out that the building is privately owned and fully insured, adding that Stirling Council will be seeking to recover all costs from the owners’ insurance.
Stirling police are not treating the fire as suspicious. Murray Place is expected to be closed to traffic for weeks.
Scottish Fire and Rescue said this week the cause of the fire remains unknown.
At the start of Stirling Council’s budget committee last week Provost Christine Simpson praised those involved during and after the blaze.
She said: “I would like to commend the speed and efficiency with which this potentially very dangerous situation was handled by the fire service, police and our own council officers in building standards and roads.”