BREAKING: No injuries reported after fire devastates Arthur Vick accommodation block

Emergency services were called to Arthur Vick residences at the University of Warwick after a fire broke out on Wednesday evening (19 November).

Videos seen by The Boar and shared on social media showed the top floor of Arthur Vick 1 engulfed by flames, with smoke rising from the building.

At least two fire engines and a police car attended the scene of the fire, which onlookers told The Boar began around 9pm. West Midlands Fire Service confirmed that eight crews were in attendance.  

Ambulances were also seen leaving the University campus following the blaze, although the University has confirmed to The Boar that no injuries have been reported. 

A room on the top floor of the block is believed to have been the source of the fire. Police officers at the scene reportedly told students that an oil fire led to the blaze, although The Boar has not yet been able to confirm this with emergency services. 

The fire has now been fully contained, with photos sent to The Boar shortly before midnight showing a hole left in the roof of the accommodation block by the blaze.

The fire has now been fully contained. A hole in the roof of Arthur Vick 1 can be seen following the blaze. Image: Harry Baylis (sent to The Boar).

Affected students were advised to head to the Junction building following the fire. The University is providing support in finding emergency accommodation for those affected, and an ongoing security presence will remain on campus overnight.

A University spokesperson told The Boar shortly after midnight on Thursday morning (20 November): “Emergency services were called to a fire on campus at the Arthur Vick 1 residence block on Wednesday night. The fire is now out.

“All students have been evacuated and no injuries have been reported. Those affected are being helped by the University to find alternative forms of emergency accommodation. Wellbeing services are providing support to those affected. There will be an ongoing security presence to ensure the safety of students.”

Fire crews attended the scene, after the top floor of Arthur Vick 1 went up in flames. Image: Gio (sent to The Boar).

Speaking after the fire broke out, one student said that residents did not immediately respond to the fire alarm after having “two false alarms half an hour earlier”. They added: “I thought my flat was joking when they told me we actually needed to leave.”

Warwick Christian Union (WCU) told The Boar that some of their members had offered rooms in their houses to affected students as temporary accommodation for the evening. WCU also handed out hot chocolate and biscuits at Junction this evening, instead of at the Chaplaincy, where they are usually located after the Wednesday night social, POP!.

This is a developing story, and will be updated as we have more information to bring you.