University failing fire-hit former campus, residents say

Residents who live near a former university campus where a large fire burned have said they are "fed up", claiming the building's security had "lapsed", leaving it vulnerable.

Fire crews were called to a blaze in the roof of the unoccupied building at the Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) IM Marsh site on Barkhill Road in Liverpool just after 15:40 BST on Saturday.

Dave Thomas, chair of Mossley Hill Residents Association, said the university was "not looking after it properly".

A LJMU representative said security had been stepped up after reports of anti-social behaviour in the summer, including dog patrols and CCTV, and additional security measures would now be put in place.

Local Liberal Democrat councillor for Mossley Hill, Rob McAllister-Bell, said he, along with local residents, had been warning for some time the site was at risk.

He said residents had previously raised concerns of a possible fire due to ongoing anti-social incidents at the site.

"Residents predicted that one of the buildings could be exposed to fire or somebody could get injured on that site," McAllister-Bell said.

"It felt like what happened was an inevitability."

An investigation is under way to find out the cause of the fire.

Thomas said security at the site had "lapsed" as the university was understood to be selling the site.

"They're not looking after it properly, and the people of the area are fed up with it," he said.

A LJMU representative said the institution was "in the process of disposing of the IM Marsh site", which had "not been an active part of our estate since 2020".

"Despite leaving the site six years ago, it has remained under our protection and part of our security rota, we have also remained in close contact with both the local residents and councillors, keeping them up to date with plans," the representative said.

"The university became aware that the IM Marsh site had become the target of anti-social behaviour in the summer and immediately stepped up the security measures with our contracted security company, including daily dog patrols and the installation of nearly 200 sensors and security cameras on site."

IM Marsh was founded in 1900 by Irene Mabel Marsh as a physical education teacher training college for girls and included a sports hall, playing fields, a swimming pool and tennis courts.

The site also features the Grade II listed Bark Hill, an early 19th century neo-classical villa.

It was closed in 2020 when LJMU moved teaching to the city centre.

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