Roof and chimney at fire-hit derelict school to go

A large chimney and more parts of a roof are set to be removed from a derelict school building that was ravaged by fire.

The flames swept through the Grade II listed Newell House in Cornhill, Sherborne, on 26 April shortly before 18:00 BST, causing most of its roof to collapse.

Dorset Council said "dangerous" gable walls, fire damaged roof sections and chimney stacks had already been taken down, with scaffolding put up to protect the pavement and road.

The authority said, following further checks by a structural engineer, that more of the remaining roof and a large chimney needed to come down. Cornhill Road is set to remain closed.

The council said additional scaffolding, safety netting and hoardings were set to go up on the remains of the building on Thursday.

The authority said a decision on reopening the road would be made "as soon as it is safe to do so".

The fire-ravaged site is being monitored daily by council officers, with a further structural inspection due on Friday.

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said no injuries were reported following the fire with the cause - believed to be suspicious - being investigated by Dorset Police.