Loss adjusters Crawford & Company have been instructed to handle a major loss claim at the University of Southampton after a serious fire.
The fire broke out in one of the research units in the University's Mountbatten Building on the Highfield Campus.
No one was injured as a result of the fire but several research laboratories, including the University's world-famous fibre and micro-fabrication facilities, have been destroyed.
Much of the equipment in the research facility has been ruined in addition to the damage to the building.
Crawford adjusters were notified as the fire was still blazing and a team was immobilized immediately.
A team is assessing the damage and meeting regularly with senior academic staff to determine the cause and full extent of the damage.
Peter Shaw, head of Technical Services, at Crawford & Company said: "It is too early to quantify the exact extent of the loss but much work will be needed to repair damage to the building and equipment.
"Rebuilding work will begin as soon as possible to minimise disruption to those who carry out their important research in this building."
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