The fire destroyed large areas of roof structure, attic floors and sections of first-floor construction, while leaving significant volumes of unstable debris suspended above vulnerable rooms and circulation spaces. Tall, slender internal masonry walls had lost their lateral restraint and were at risk of collapse, while heavily loaded floors below were in danger of failing under the weight of debris. As a Grade II* listed building, all stabilisation and repair works needed to be carefully designed to protect surviving historic fabric while making the structure safe for investigation and restoration.