The site is believed to feature 21 self-contained flats.
Emergency services deal with a fire that broke out at Roman Court in Cambridgeshire (Image: Getty Images)
A fire which erupted at a site earmarked for use as asylum seeker accommodation is being treated as arson, police have confirmed. Emergency services were called to Roman Court, a former sheltered housing complex in Leverington, Cambridgeshire, on Wednesday evening. Cambridgeshire Constabulary said officers were called by the fire service just after 7.30pm following reports of a fire at the property. The building was empty at the time and nobody was injured, but police said it had been severely damaged in the blaze. As part of a statement, the force said: “Firefighters brought the blaze under control, but the building has been severely damaged. The fire is being treated as arson and is being investigated by the fire service and police.”
Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service said 21 crews were “working hard” to tackle the blaze and prevent it from spreading. Crews from Wisbech, March and Dogsthorpe attended, alongside a turntable ladder from Stanground and firefighters from Outwell and West Walton in neighbouring Norfolk.
The blaze comes amid controversy over proposals to use Roman Court to house asylum seekers. According to Fenland District Council, a letter from the Home Office said the site could “provide 26 bedspaces for mothers and babies” and had been approved for further consideration as dispersal accommodation.
Fenland District Council opposed the proposal and submitted a full objection to the Home Office on October 7 as part of the appeals process. Peaceful protests were also held earlier this month following the announcement that the site was being considered for asylum seeker accommodation.
Roman Court, which closed as sheltered housing several years ago, was listed for sale at auction in October 2025. Property details said the complex contained 21 self-contained flats, including 16 studios, four one-bedroom flats and one three-bedroom unit.
Planning permission was also in place for single-storey extensions to four of the flats. A statement on the Cambridgehsire Fire and Rescue website at the time of yesterday’s incident reads: “At 7.26pm on Wednesday (21) crews were called to a fire at Roman Court in Leverington.
The street was cordoned off leading to Roman Court as emergency services attended the incident (Image: Getty Images)
“Crews from Wisbech, March and Dogsthorpe, along with the turntable ladder from Stanground and crews from Outwell and West Walton in Norfolk, attended the incident.
“Firefighters arrived to find a fire in a single storey building that was unoccupied.
“They are working hard to tackle the fire and prevent it from spreading. There are currently no injuries reported.
“An investigation will be carried out to establish the cause of the fire once it is fully extinguished.”
Anyone with information has been asked to contact Cambridgeshire Constabulary online, quoting incident 452 of October 21. Those without internet access can call 101.
Horror Fire at Proposed Asylum Seeker Housing in Leverington Sparks Alarm and Urgent Questions
A major fire at a former sheltered housing complex earmarked for asylum-seeker accommodation has intensified tensions in the Cambridgeshire village of Leverington, after emergency services were called to tackle a blaze that severely damaged the empty building. Police are treating the incident as arson, and an investigation is under way to establish the circumstances surrounding the fire.
The blaze broke out at Roman Court shortly after 7.25pm on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. Firefighters from several stations responded, with crews working to bring the flames under control and prevent the fire from spreading. No injuries were reported, as the property was unoccupied when the incident occurred. <Cite refs={[“turn768403search0″,”turn768403search2”]}/>
The incident has drawn particular attention because Roman Court had become the centre of a local dispute over plans to use the former residential complex to accommodate asylum seekers. Residents had already voiced concerns about the proposal, while Fenland District Council had formally objected to the Home Office’s plans.
With the building now severely damaged and investigators examining the possibility of deliberate ignition, questions have emerged about the future of the proposed accommodation, the safety of nearby residents and the wider controversy over asylum housing in communities across England.
However, authorities have not established who was responsible for the fire or publicly confirmed a motive. The investigation must determine what happened before any conclusions can be drawn about the person or people involved.
Emergency Services Rush to the Scene
The fire prompted a substantial response from Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service. Crews from Wisbech, March and Dogsthorpe attended, alongside a turntable ladder from Stanground and additional firefighters from Outwell and West Walton in neighbouring Norfolk.
The emergency operation focused on controlling the blaze and preventing it from spreading to surrounding areas. Police subsequently confirmed that the property had suffered severe damage and that the incident was being investigated as arson. <Cite refs={[“turn768403news21″,”turn768403search0”]}/>
The scale of the response demonstrated the resources required to manage a serious fire, even at a building that was not occupied at the time. Firefighters must assess the structure, identify potential hazards and establish whether nearby properties could be affected.
For people living close to Roman Court, the incident was understandably concerning. A major fire can produce heavy smoke, disrupt local roads and create uncertainty about whether neighbouring buildings are at risk.
The fact that nobody was injured was an important outcome. Nevertheless, the damage to the property and the suspected criminal circumstances mean that the incident is likely to remain a significant issue for the village while investigations continue.
Roman Court Had Become the Centre of a Local Dispute
The former sheltered housing complex was at the centre of controversy after the Home Office identified it as a potential location for asylum-seeker accommodation.
According to information published by Fenland District Council, the proposed arrangement could provide 26 bedspaces for mothers and babies seeking asylum. The property had been approved for further consideration as dispersal accommodation, but the proposal was not universally supported locally. <Cite refs={[“turn768403search1″,”turn768403search2”]}/>
The council submitted an initial objection on October 1 and a full objection on October 7, arguing that the location was unsuitable for the proposed use. Council representatives also raised concerns about the potential effect on the local community and the lack of clarity surrounding the government’s wider accommodation plans.
The disagreement reflects a recurring challenge in Britain’s asylum system: finding suitable accommodation while taking account of local infrastructure, the needs of existing residents and the responsibilities of national government.
Local authorities may be concerned about the availability of healthcare, transport, support services and appropriate housing. Central government, meanwhile, must arrange accommodation for people whose asylum claims are being processed and manage the costs associated with the system.
These competing responsibilities can create difficult discussions, particularly in smaller communities where residents may feel that decisions are being made without sufficient consultation.
However, disagreement over a proposed accommodation site is separate from the criminal investigation into the fire. Peaceful objections and lawful political campaigning are legitimate ways to challenge a government decision; deliberately setting a building alight is a criminal matter.
Council Condemns the Fire and Calls for Lawful Opposition
Fenland District Council responded to the incident by expressing dismay that the fire had occurred at a site already generating considerable local tension.
A council spokesperson said the authority had raised serious concerns with the Home Office about the suitability of the location and warned that the proposal was causing tension in the community.
The council also urged anyone with information about the incident to contact police, while emphasising that objections to the accommodation proposal must remain peaceful and within the law. <Cite refs={[“turn768403search1″,”turn768403search2”]}/>
The response highlights the difficult position faced by local representatives. Councillors may strongly oppose a national government proposal while also having a responsibility to protect public safety and uphold the rule of law.
For residents who object to the planned use of Roman Court, the fire may create uncertainty about whether the proposal can proceed. Yet the long-term outcome will depend on the condition of the building, the relevant decisions by the Home Office and any further assessments required.
The council’s opposition predates the fire, meaning the debate over the site’s suitability was already established before the emergency occurred.
Why the Proposed Accommodation Had Generated Concern
The plan for Roman Court was controversial partly because it involved changing the use of a former sheltered housing complex in a village setting.
The property had previously contained self-contained flats and had been closed for several years. Property details published when it was offered for auction in October 2025 described 21 flats, including studios, one-bedroom units and a three-bedroom unit. Planning permission was also in place for single-storey extensions to four flats. <Cite refs={[“turn768403news21″,”turn768403search4”]}/>
The proposed accommodation was intended to provide space for asylum-seeking mothers and babies, rather than simply serving as a general residential development.
For supporters of the proposal, accommodation of this kind can form part of the arrangements needed to house people while their immigration cases are considered. Suitable accommodation can provide stability for families and reduce reliance on other forms of temporary housing.
Opponents have questioned whether the site is appropriate and whether local services and facilities could adequately support its intended residents.
Such questions deserve consideration through transparent decision-making. Relevant factors include the property’s condition, fire safety, accessibility, local service capacity and the arrangements for managing the accommodation.
The fire now creates an additional issue because the building has reportedly been severely damaged. Any future proposal involving Roman Court would have to take account of the consequences of the blaze and the findings of the relevant investigations.
The Wider Debate Over Asylum Accommodation in Britain
The incident in Leverington comes amid continuing national debate over how the United Kingdom accommodates people seeking asylum.
The Home Office must arrange suitable housing for eligible people while their claims are considered, but the system has faced pressure over costs, availability and the location of accommodation.
Hotels have become a prominent feature of this debate, with critics arguing that they can be expensive and that their use may create tensions in communities. Government efforts to identify alternative properties have consequently attracted attention from local councils and residents.
Moving people into alternative accommodation can be complicated. Properties must be suitable for their intended use, comply with relevant safety requirements and have appropriate support arrangements. Decisions also need to consider the effect on neighbouring communities.
Local opposition can arise for different reasons, including concerns about infrastructure, the suitability of individual buildings, the consultation process and wider disagreement over immigration policy.
It is important to distinguish those concerns from hostility directed at people because of their nationality or immigration status. Asylum seekers are individuals whose circumstances vary, and the outcome of each person’s claim depends on the applicable legal process.
Equally, communities have legitimate interests in how accommodation decisions are made and how local concerns are addressed. Clear information and meaningful engagement can help reduce uncertainty and ensure that objections are considered through appropriate channels.
What the Fire Means for the Future of Roman Court
The immediate priority remains the investigation into the cause of the fire.
Police and fire investigators will need to establish how the blaze started, assess the damage and examine any available evidence. If investigators identify a suspect, further action will depend on the evidence gathered and the progress of the criminal process.
Until those findings are available, it would be premature to attribute responsibility to any individual or group. The existence of previous protests or political disagreement does not establish who caused the fire.
The condition of the building will also influence any future plans. Severe damage could require extensive repairs or further safety assessments before the property could be used again. The relevant authorities would need to consider the findings of those assessments alongside the status of the accommodation proposal.
The fire does not, by itself, settle the disagreement between the Home Office and the council. Nor does it establish whether the proposal will be withdrawn, revised or reconsidered.
Residents will likely want clear answers about the site’s future, the safety of the surrounding area and the steps being taken to prevent further incidents.
Police Appeal for Information
Cambridgeshire Constabulary has asked anyone with information about the fire to come forward. Information can be submitted through the force’s online reporting service, quoting incident 452 of October 21, or by calling 101. <Cite refs={[“turn768403search0″,”turn768403search2”]}/>
Anyone with relevant information should contact the police directly rather than speculate publicly about possible suspects. Investigators will need reliable evidence to establish what happened and determine whether anyone should face criminal proceedings.
The authorities have also stressed the importance of lawful conduct in the wider dispute over the accommodation proposal. People who oppose the plan can continue to raise their concerns with elected representatives, the council and the Home Office without resorting to criminal acts.
A Serious Incident With Consequences Beyond One Building
The fire at Roman Court has brought an already contentious local issue into sharper focus. A building proposed for asylum-seeker accommodation has been severely damaged, police are investigating suspected arson and the future of the site remains uncertain.
For Leverington residents, the immediate concerns are safety, the investigation and clarity about what happens next. For Fenland District Council and the Home Office, the incident adds another complication to a proposal that was already facing formal objections.
For the wider debate over immigration, the case illustrates the importance of addressing local concerns transparently while maintaining a clear distinction between peaceful opposition and criminal behaviour.
The investigation must establish the facts before responsibility or motive can be determined. In the meantime, the priority is to support the emergency response, protect the community and ensure that any future decisions about Roman Court are based on reliable evidence, appropriate safety assessments and the relevant legal requirements.