This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-24425726

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
'Severe' fire at Birmingham city centre cafe 'Severe' fire destroys Birmingham New Canal Street cafe
(about 1 hour later)
A fire has ripped through a cafe near Birmingham city centre. A fire has destroyed a cafe near Birmingham city centre.
West Midlands Fire Service said five engines were called to the "severe" blaze at the former Birmingham Dogs Home building in New Canal Street at 06:40 BST. Five engines were called to the "severe" blaze at the former Birmingham Dogs Home building in New Canal Street at 06:40 BST.
A spokesperson from the service said 25 firefighters were at the building and that no-one had been injured. A West Midlands Fire Service spokesperson said 25 firefighters tackled the blaze and no-one had been injured.
New Canal Street has been closed between Fazeley Street and Bordesley Street.New Canal Street has been closed between Fazeley Street and Bordesley Street.
'Loud explosion' Simon Price, the general manager of Birmingham Dogs Home, which is now based elsewhere in Digbeth, said the organisation had left the building in 1987.
Simon Price, the general manager of Birmingham Dogs Home, which is now based elsewhere in Digbeth, said the organisation left the building in 1987.
He said: "It's such a shame to see the building in such a state today.He said: "It's such a shame to see the building in such a state today.
"I believe it's a listed building. Either way, it's a part of Birmingham's history and it's a real shame to see it in such a sorry state.""I believe it's a listed building. Either way, it's a part of Birmingham's history and it's a real shame to see it in such a sorry state."
Alan Poole works at Central Flowers, which is opposite the cafe. 'Flames rising'
He said staff at the business had now returned to the building after having been evacuated. Alan Poole, who works at Central Flowers opposite the cafe, said staff there had now returned to the building after having been evacuated from it.
"We saw a few flames rising from the building," he said. "Luckily it did not spread over to us but, for a while, it looked as if it would." "We saw a few flames rising from the building," he said.
"Luckily it did not spread over to us but, for a while, it looked as if it would."
Paul Burnham, 47, said he was taking his car to a garage when he noticed the street had been cordoned off.Paul Burnham, 47, said he was taking his car to a garage when he noticed the street had been cordoned off.
"It looked like a bomb had hit it," he said."It looked like a bomb had hit it," he said.
The roads around the scene of the fire, which is to the east of the city centre, are likely to be affected for some time, the service said.The roads around the scene of the fire, which is to the east of the city centre, are likely to be affected for some time, the service said.
Station commander Steve Harris said they were working with the cafe's owner to establish how the fire started but that "100% of the building" was affected. Station commander Steve Harris said the fire service was working with the cafe's owner to establish how the fire started.
However, he added that "100% of the building" had been affected.
Earlier the fire service tweeted that a loud explosion had been heard but said the blaze was "beginning to die down".Earlier the fire service tweeted that a loud explosion had been heard but said the blaze was "beginning to die down".