Student hall meets explosive end

Sorby Hall collapses in a cloud of dust after more than 40 years

A Sheffield University student hall of residence has been demolished to make way for new accommodation.

Opened in 1961, the the 12-storey Sorby Hall was reduced to rubble in a matter of seconds with 30 kilos of explosives.

The operation was carried out by Controlled Demolition Group, the firm which also blew up the 1960s council blocks at Norfolk Park, Sheffield.

The plunger was pressed on Sunday by Peter Quarrell, the son of the first warden of Sorby Hall.

Pat McGrath, head of accommodation and campus services at the university, said: "Although it is sad to see Sorby go, it is time to move on.

"Our students want up-to-date accommodation and with the new student village they will get that and so much more.

"It is an exciting time for staff and students at the university and I can't wait to see the finished result."

New state-of-the-art accommodation is to be built for students in and around the current Endcliffe and Ranmoor sites, with the construction project due to be completed in autumn 2009.