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Harborne fire: Former cinema engulfed by flames | Harborne fire: Former cinema engulfed by flames |
(35 minutes later) | |
A large fire has ripped through an historic former cinema in Birmingham overnight. | A large fire has ripped through an historic former cinema in Birmingham overnight. |
West Midlands Fire and Rescue service (WMFRS) were called to the old Royalty Cinema in Harborne at 00:32 BST. | West Midlands Fire and Rescue service (WMFRS) were called to the old Royalty Cinema in Harborne at 00:32 BST. |
Smoke and flames could be seen billowing from the roof of the building on High Street, which dates to the 1930s. | Smoke and flames could be seen billowing from the roof of the building on High Street, which dates to the 1930s. |
One firefighter tweeted it had been started by arsonists but the fire service has not confirmed this. | |
Lee Baker, a station commander with West Midlands Fire Service, tweeted he was "sad to see this art deco building has finally been ruined by arsonists". | |
But the service and police have not officially confirmed the cause of the fire. | |
Up to 50 firefighters tackled the blaze at the fire's height. The service said crews were not able to access parts of the building due to structural damage. | |
West Midlands Police said there were no casualties. | West Midlands Police said there were no casualties. |
Neighbours were warned there was still a lot of smoke in the area and advised them to keep windows and doors closed. | Neighbours were warned there was still a lot of smoke in the area and advised them to keep windows and doors closed. |
The High Street in Harborne was closed while crews worked at the scene. | The High Street in Harborne was closed while crews worked at the scene. |
It was reopened by 08:00, but Greenhill Road remains closed. | It was reopened by 08:00, but Greenhill Road remains closed. |
On Facebook, the group which has been campaigning to restore the building said it was "devastated" to hear about the fire. | On Facebook, the group which has been campaigning to restore the building said it was "devastated" to hear about the fire. |
Rob Sutton, chairman of the Harborne Royalty Trust Board, said the Grade II listed site, which had been closed since 2010, had been used by rough sleepers. | Rob Sutton, chairman of the Harborne Royalty Trust Board, said the Grade II listed site, which had been closed since 2010, had been used by rough sleepers. |
But there had been "lots of support" in Harborne for its plans to turn the cinema into a community venue, with a public consultation on the scheme launching last week, he said. | But there had been "lots of support" in Harborne for its plans to turn the cinema into a community venue, with a public consultation on the scheme launching last week, he said. |
He said it was too early to say how the fire might affect the plans in future: | He said it was too early to say how the fire might affect the plans in future: |
"One of the trustees has been down there and we understand the main party of the building has been pretty well gutted," he said. | "One of the trustees has been down there and we understand the main party of the building has been pretty well gutted," he said. |
"Renovation is going to be a very difficult challenge now. | "Renovation is going to be a very difficult challenge now. |
"But we are very willing to engage with the owner to look at ways we can turn this very sad event into a positive one for Harborne and tap into that massive support. | "But we are very willing to engage with the owner to look at ways we can turn this very sad event into a positive one for Harborne and tap into that massive support. |