Dorchester's South Street to remain closed 'until further notice'
The Council says it's not safe, after the Gorge Café fire last month
Part of Dorchester town centre is to remain closed 'until further notice' following a devastating blaze last month.
The Gorge Café on South Street was destroyed in the fire, with other buildings severely damaged.
A cordon's been in place ever since, due to concerns that the area was still unsafe.
That's proved to have been necessary, as a chimney there collapsed on site on Monday (6th January), but within the blocked off area.
Dorset Council's been assessing the site, and given an update - they've said:
"Dorset Council Building Control Surveyors met with the owners of the building, their appointed structural engineers, and Loss Adjusters to analyse the structural stability of the building. The owner's appointed structural engineers will now complete survey reports and then a programme of works will be agreed.
"The area which has been cordoned off, will continue to be so until these reports have come back, and we can confirm the building as safe and clearance work of fallen fire damaged material has been removed. We were concerned that the large chimney and party wall was going to fall and indeed this has happened, within our safety cordon and the fallen material was entirely contained.
"Until the building is made safe, the road will remain closed until further notice, but Dorset Council remain committed to working with the owners and their representatives to resolve the matter as soon as possible."