Construction and renovation fires


Fires are common in buildings under construction and renovation, and present particular difficulties to firefighters.
During construction, buildings often do not have elements that would protect them from fire, such as walls and sprinkler systems. Poor water supplies and the accumulation of flammable materials also present risks. Works often require heat or even open flame, and these can set off fires that smoulder for hours before being noticed. For this reason, work sites may need 24-hour fire watches.
Builder's risk insurance may cover damage from such fires.
FireDateProbable causeRefs
Nantes Cathedral1972started in roof by worker with blowtorch.
Montreal Biosphere1976started by worker with welding torch
Hotel Margaret, Brooklyn1980heater used by workers?
Uppark, Sussex1989roof re-leading
Windsor Castle1992spotlight on curtains
Manhattan's Central Synagogue1998blowtorch used to install air conditioning on roof
University of Kentucky Main Building2001thought to be welding torch used to repair guttering
St. Catherine's Church, Gdańsk2006started in roof, short circuit of a tinkered cable
Trinity Cathedral, Saint Petersburg2006originated in exterior scaffolding
Cutty Sark2007industrial vacuum cleaner, AWOL firewatchers
Universal Studios Hollywood2008started when worker used blowtorch to heat asphalt shingles
Hôtel Lambert, Paris2013under investigation, started in roof
Basilica of St. Donatian and St. Rogatian, Nantes2015started in roof
Battersea Arts Centre, London2015under investigation, started in roof
Mackintosh Building, Glasgow School of Art 2018under investigation; lack of precautions after 2014 fire
Notre-Dame de Paris2019under investigation