A huge fire engulfed the disused Henley College building on Henley Road, Coventry, on the evening of Tuesday, April 29, 2025, sending dramatic plumes of thick black smoke across the city skyline.
The West Midlands Fire Service deployed 12 fire engines and over 60 firefighters to tackle the blaze, which quickly spread through the roof of the abandoned educational facility. Emergency services cordoned off the area, and residents were urgently advised to keep doors and windows closed due to heavy smoke in the air.
Dramatic videos shared on social media show flames roaring through the upper levels of the building, lighting up the evening sky and drawing widespread concern from local communities.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with fire investigators yet to confirm whether it was started accidentally or deliberately. Police have not reported any injuries or arrests linked to the incident so far.
Henley College Coventry, originally established in 1964, was a long-standing further education institution. In 2017, it merged with City College Coventry to form Coventry College, and the Henley campus has remained vacant and earmarked for redevelopment since the merger.
The fire broke out on the UK’s hottest day of the year so far, with the Met Office recording a high of 24.9°C in Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire. Forecasters warn that rising temperatures in the coming days could elevate fire risks, particularly in urban areas with dry vegetation and abandoned buildings.
Local councillor Jane Edwards said: “This is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by unused buildings, especially in warm weather. We’re grateful to the fire service for their rapid response.”
A major incident was not officially declared, but emergency services remain on the scene conducting dampening-down operations and safety checks.
West Midlands Fire Service is urging anyone with information or footage of the fire’s early stages to come forward as the investigation continues.
