Four firefighters are present at the former art university on Eleanor Street in Grimsby this evening as a fire ravages the large old building.
The former Grimsby Municipal College (Wintringham Grammar School) opened in 1895 and later became the technical school, art university and local education authority building, but is now abandoned. The empty shell has been a source of concern for residents for several years.
The Humberside Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that Grimsby and Immingham crews rushed to the scene after the fire was first reported at 5.14pm on Sunday 19 June. Eleanor Street is closed to traffic from Hainton Avenue to Heneage Road.
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The prolific local architect Herbert C Scaping designed the Grade II listed building, which shows its dome on the roof, built by the builders of Grimsby Hewins and Goodhand. The prestigious academy opened on Thursday, October 24, 1895, and was the flagship institution of the local school board.
After the closure of the Technical School, it eventually became Grimsby Art College, which closed in 1994. It was then sold to an anonymous real estate developer and plans were made to convert it into apartments, but only complete some floors.
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