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Derby Assembly Rooms fire: Parts of city closed off as firefighters tackle major blaze | |
(about 14 hours later) | |
A large fire ripped through a car park in Derby this evening, forcing firefighters to close off parts of the city centre amid reports of falling debris. | A large fire ripped through a car park in Derby this evening, forcing firefighters to close off parts of the city centre amid reports of falling debris. |
The blaze, which was said to be producing “large, thick, black plumes of smoke” at its height, started on the top floor of the city’s live venue, the Assembly Rooms. | The blaze, which was said to be producing “large, thick, black plumes of smoke” at its height, started on the top floor of the city’s live venue, the Assembly Rooms. |
Strictly Come Dancing’s Anton Du Beke had been due to perform at the venue, but the show was cancelled as fire crews fought to bring the flames under control. | Strictly Come Dancing’s Anton Du Beke had been due to perform at the venue, but the show was cancelled as fire crews fought to bring the flames under control. |
Derbyshire Fire Service cordoned off the area and eyewitnesses suggested that at one stage debris could be seen falling from the multi-storey car park. | Derbyshire Fire Service cordoned off the area and eyewitnesses suggested that at one stage debris could be seen falling from the multi-storey car park. |
Gavin Tomlinson, fire service area commander, said: "The fire spread very, very quickly and it was extremely difficult to deal with as it was not safe to go in and physically put it out." | Gavin Tomlinson, fire service area commander, said: "The fire spread very, very quickly and it was extremely difficult to deal with as it was not safe to go in and physically put it out." |
Earlier, Derbyshire Police said they had widened the cordon with the danger of vehicles in the car park "exploding". | Earlier, Derbyshire Police said they had widened the cordon with the danger of vehicles in the car park "exploding". |
Pete Meakin, from Derby Live, said performances over the weekend had also been cancelled: "Fortunately we know everyone got out of the Assembly Rooms building and we are now ringing around the audiences to make sure they don't come into the city centre." | Pete Meakin, from Derby Live, said performances over the weekend had also been cancelled: "Fortunately we know everyone got out of the Assembly Rooms building and we are now ringing around the audiences to make sure they don't come into the city centre." |
Will Hives, 36, who lives nearby, was in a restaurant when he noticed the smoke, and told the BBC: "You couldn't see flames at first, just plumes of black smoke. | Will Hives, 36, who lives nearby, was in a restaurant when he noticed the smoke, and told the BBC: "You couldn't see flames at first, just plumes of black smoke. |
"It spread really quickly. Within 10 minutes it was really alight and was sweeping across the whole building." | "It spread really quickly. Within 10 minutes it was really alight and was sweeping across the whole building." |
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