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 7 Version 8
'Severe' fire destroys Birmingham New Canal Street cafe 'Severe' fire destroys Birmingham New Canal Street cafe
(about 7 hours later)
A fire has destroyed a cafe near Birmingham city centre. Investigations are underway into the cause of a fire that destroyed a cafe near Birmingham city centre.
Five engines were sent to the "severe" blaze at the former Birmingham Dogs Home building in New Canal Street at 06:40 BST.Five engines were sent to the "severe" blaze at the former Birmingham Dogs Home building in New Canal Street at 06:40 BST.
New Canal Street was closed between Fazeley Street and Bordesley Street and there were reports of an explosion. New Canal Street was closed and police said that Community Support Officers are "managing the scene of the fire".
People were evacuated from nearby properties and eyewitnesses said the building "looked like a bomb had hit it". West Midlands Police said they are working with the fire service to investigate the cause of the blaze.
There were reports of an explosion and people were evacuated from nearby properties.
Eyewitnesses said the building "looked like a bomb had hit it".
Simon Price, the general manager of Birmingham Dogs Home, which is now based in Digbeth, said the organisation had left the building in 1987.Simon Price, the general manager of Birmingham Dogs Home, which is now based in Digbeth, said the organisation had 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."
'Flames rising''Flames rising'
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.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."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.""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 the fire service was working with the cafe's owner to establish how the fire started.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.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", and they had left the scene.Earlier the fire service tweeted that a loud explosion had been heard but said the blaze was "beginning to die down", and they had left the scene.