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Kings Heath shop fire closes major route Kings Heath shop fire closes major route
(35 minutes later)
One of the main routes into Birmingham has been closed after a fire caused most of a shop to collapse.One of the main routes into Birmingham has been closed after a fire caused most of a shop to collapse.
Police cordoned off Kings Heath High Street between Popular Road and Silver Street after a fire broke out at Cash Converters, in York Road, at 05:00 GMT.Police cordoned off Kings Heath High Street between Popular Road and Silver Street after a fire broke out at Cash Converters, in York Road, at 05:00 GMT.
Officers said they were treating the fire, which is now under control, as suspicious. No-one is thought to have been hurt. The building was formerly the Ritz Ballroom, where bands including The Beatles, The Who and The Rolling Stones played in the 1960s.
Officers said they were treating the fire as suspicious. No-one was hurt.
The road is expected to remain shut for the rest of the day.The road is expected to remain shut for the rest of the day.
At its height, up to 40 firefighters were called to tackle the blaze in York Road. At its height, up to 40 firefighters were called to tackle the blaze in York Road. Fire officers remain at the site.
'Close-knit community' Structural engineers will now examine the remains of the building to decide how stable it is. Fire chiefs said about 70% of the building had so far collapsed.
Structural engineers will now examine the remains of the building to decide how stable it is. Fire chiefs said about 70% of the building had so far collapsed. Music historian Jez Collins, who runs the online Birmingham Music Archive, said it was "very sad" to lose the building.
Dave Janes, from the fire service, said it was "far too early" to say what had caused the blaze but said the collapse of the building was likely to hamper the investigation. He said: "In Birmingham we've lost so much of our musical history.
Businesses in York Road have are shut but those on the High Street were open as normal. "If you compare it to other cities like Liverpool and Manchester, which have really made something of their famous venues, we've lost a lot.
"It's the memories that are attached them them - people remember going to the Ritz to see The Beatles, The Stones, The Animals, Pink Floyd and all the big names of the time. People met their husbands and wives there and now that building's gone."
Local 'landmark'
The venue shut in the 1970s and the building has been occupied by various shops since.
Celebrations had been planned for September in Kings Heath to mark the 50th anniversary in September of the Rolling Stones playing at the venue.
A Kings Heath Walk of Fame, honouring the area's musical and comedy heritage, had also been planned to start outside the building with a star marking singer Toyah Wilcox.
Dave Janes, from the fire service, said the collapse of the building was likely to hamper the investigation into how the fire started.
Businesses in York Road are shut but those on the High Street were open as normal.
Kate Smart, Kings Heath town centre manager, said some of the surrounding buildings had been damaged by smoke.Kate Smart, Kings Heath town centre manager, said some of the surrounding buildings had been damaged by smoke.
She added the area was a "close-knit community" and that they were "devastated" to lose such a "landmark property".She added the area was a "close-knit community" and that they were "devastated" to lose such a "landmark property".
Police advised drivers to avoid the area and a diversion is in place along Institute Road.Police advised drivers to avoid the area and a diversion is in place along Institute Road.
National Express West Midlands said its 35 and 50 services were also being diverted.National Express West Midlands said its 35 and 50 services were also being diverted.