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Fire crews damp down cinema blaze Investigation into cinema blaze
(about 17 hours later)
Firefighters are damping down at the scene of a fire in a disused cinema in the centre of Wrexham. An investigation is under way following a fire at a disused cinema in the centre of Wrexham.
North Wales Fire and Rescue Service were called to the Old Hippodrome on Henblas Street at 13.09 BST. North Wales Fire and Rescue Service were called to the Old Hippodrome on Henblas Street on Monday afternoon and a number of shops were evacuated.
The shops in the area of the fire were evacuated and part of the town centre sealed off as up to eight crews fought the flames. Several streets that had been cordoned off as eight fire crews fought the flames have now been reopened.
The building was standing empty ahead of the site being due to be converted into a retail development. The building had been standing empty, before the site was to be converted into a retail development.
The cause of the fire is now under investigation. Crews from Wrexham, Chirk, Llangollen, Deeside, Buckley and Mold as well ladder engines from Wrexham and Rhyl were called to the scene.
Crews from Wrexham, Chirk, Llangollen, Deeside, Buckley and Mold as well ladder engines from Wrexham and Rhyl were at the scene. Phil Owen, county safety manager for Wrexham, said: "The crews worked together effectively and we were able to get the fire under control quickly.
Phil Owen, County Safety Manager for Wrexham, said: "The crews worked together effectively and we were able to get the fire under control quickly.
"I would like to thank the local business people and public in the area for co-operating with us and helping insure the safety of all in the vicinity of the building.""I would like to thank the local business people and public in the area for co-operating with us and helping insure the safety of all in the vicinity of the building."


Here are a selection of your views: A selection of your views:
My mum and I were in Wrexham shopping and we saw a bit of smoke at first but when we came out of the shop there was smoke billowing out, you could barely see the church for it. There were large embers falling into the high street and you could see the flames coming through the roof. It's a shame that such a well known building has gone up in flames.Maya Johnson, CaerwysMy mum and I were in Wrexham shopping and we saw a bit of smoke at first but when we came out of the shop there was smoke billowing out, you could barely see the church for it. There were large embers falling into the high street and you could see the flames coming through the roof. It's a shame that such a well known building has gone up in flames.Maya Johnson, Caerwys
I live just over half mile away from town centre and you can see the smoke from here and much further out. My partner rang me and told me not to bother going into town because they were trying to evacuate as many people as possible. I heard 2 fire engine's go past my house i assume that one of them was the one from Chirk.I live just over half mile away from town centre and you can see the smoke from here and much further out. My partner rang me and told me not to bother going into town because they were trying to evacuate as many people as possible. I heard 2 fire engine's go past my house i assume that one of them was the one from Chirk.
Kirsten Seward, WrexhamKirsten Seward, Wrexham
A picture of the fire in Wrexham taken by Amy TomkinsA picture of the fire in Wrexham taken by Amy Tomkins
This is very sad, i saw some fantastic movies in the Hippodrome when i was a kid. The Saturday morning kids shows were an experience!Russell Davies, Cardiff, WalesThis is very sad, i saw some fantastic movies in the Hippodrome when i was a kid. The Saturday morning kids shows were an experience!Russell Davies, Cardiff, Wales
Our office is Ty Henblas (above BHS) and you could see it all from where we were.Our office is Ty Henblas (above BHS) and you could see it all from where we were.
The fire was fierce and you could see the flames coming out of the top of the roof. After about 15-20 minutes there was like a 'bell tower' type thing on top of the roof, the fire surrounded it and it completely engulfed it causing it to crash down inside. Our office at one point was asked if we would like to evacuate but as it died down we decided to soldier on! The fire crews were working hard and are doing an excellent job - Not bad looking too!The fire was fierce and you could see the flames coming out of the top of the roof. After about 15-20 minutes there was like a 'bell tower' type thing on top of the roof, the fire surrounded it and it completely engulfed it causing it to crash down inside. Our office at one point was asked if we would like to evacuate but as it died down we decided to soldier on! The fire crews were working hard and are doing an excellent job - Not bad looking too!
Anonymous, WrexhamAnonymous, Wrexham