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Majestyk fire: Man arrested after ex-nightclub badly damaged | Majestyk fire: Man arrested after ex-nightclub badly damaged |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A fire has badly damaged the former Majestyk nightclub in Leeds. | A fire has badly damaged the former Majestyk nightclub in Leeds. |
Dozens of firefighters worked through the night to tackle the blaze at the Grade II-listed premises, the home of the Majestic cinema in the 1920s. | Dozens of firefighters worked through the night to tackle the blaze at the Grade II-listed premises, the home of the Majestic cinema in the 1920s. |
A 32-year-old man has been arrested but police said it was too early to say if the cause of the fire was suspicious. | A 32-year-old man has been arrested but police said it was too early to say if the cause of the fire was suspicious. |
At the height of the fire, flames could be seen shooting out of the top of the building as crews struggled to bring the blaze under control. | At the height of the fire, flames could be seen shooting out of the top of the building as crews struggled to bring the blaze under control. |
The roof has partially collapsed but the "iconic" building has been saved, firefighters said. | The roof has partially collapsed but the "iconic" building has been saved, firefighters said. |
Most recently the premises was used as the home of the Majestyk nightclub, but it has also served as a ballroom and bingo club. | Most recently the premises was used as the home of the Majestyk nightclub, but it has also served as a ballroom and bingo club. |
It lay disused for years after the closure of the nightclub, but had recently been refurbished. | It lay disused for years after the closure of the nightclub, but had recently been refurbished. |
Nick Smith, from the fire service, said: "It's a big fire and it's been a difficult operation. But we have managed to save this iconic building. | Nick Smith, from the fire service, said: "It's a big fire and it's been a difficult operation. But we have managed to save this iconic building. |
"We've had the structural engineer out and the building framework is safe. Obviously, the roof isn't, but it doesn't pose a risk to the public." | "We've had the structural engineer out and the building framework is safe. Obviously, the roof isn't, but it doesn't pose a risk to the public." |
Timeline | Timeline |
1922: The Majestic cinema opens on 5 June with capacity for 1,200 in the circle and 1,600 in the stalls. It was designed by architect Pascal J Steinlet. | 1922: The Majestic cinema opens on 5 June with capacity for 1,200 in the circle and 1,600 in the stalls. It was designed by architect Pascal J Steinlet. |
1950s: Doubles as a ballroom and continued to show films. | 1950s: Doubles as a ballroom and continued to show films. |
1969: Opens as the Top Rank bingo club. | 1969: Opens as the Top Rank bingo club. |
1993: Becomes a Grade II-listed building. | 1993: Becomes a Grade II-listed building. |
Mid 1990s: Reopens as the Majestyk nightclub. | Mid 1990s: Reopens as the Majestyk nightclub. |
2006: Majestyk shuts its doors. | 2006: Majestyk shuts its doors. |
2010: Added to Leeds Civic Trust's 'At Risk' register. Bought by Leeds firm Rushbond Plc which planned to turn it into a live music venue. | 2010: Added to Leeds Civic Trust's 'At Risk' register. Bought by Leeds firm Rushbond Plc which planned to turn it into a live music venue. |
Several road closures are in place around the site, which is opposite the railway station. They include Quebec Street, Wellington Street and New Station Street. | Several road closures are in place around the site, which is opposite the railway station. They include Quebec Street, Wellington Street and New Station Street. |
Mr Smith added: "Unfortunately for people coming into Leeds, anyone approaching the city from the south is going to have significant disruption to their travel." | Mr Smith added: "Unfortunately for people coming into Leeds, anyone approaching the city from the south is going to have significant disruption to their travel." |
Crews were called at about 19:20 BST on Tuesday following reports of smoke coming from the first floor of the building. | Crews were called at about 19:20 BST on Tuesday following reports of smoke coming from the first floor of the building. |
Leon Baranowski saw the flames from his flat, which overlooks the premises. | Leon Baranowski saw the flames from his flat, which overlooks the premises. |
He told BBC Radio Leeds: "I looked out my window and you could see the flames. I watched it unfold for the next three or four hours. | He told BBC Radio Leeds: "I looked out my window and you could see the flames. I watched it unfold for the next three or four hours. |
"At about [22:30] the roof looked like it lit up again and that's when you started to see bigger flames, maybe 50ft up in the air. | "At about [22:30] the roof looked like it lit up again and that's when you started to see bigger flames, maybe 50ft up in the air. |
"We got a real perspective because we had the backdrop of the city buildings." | "We got a real perspective because we had the backdrop of the city buildings." |
Mark Finch, director of real estate at Rushbond, which owns the building and carried out its recent restoration, said: "We're absolutely devastated by what's happened to The Majestic. | |
"We're extremely grateful to all the emergency services and Leeds City Council who all worked tirelessly throughout the night. | |
"We hope to progress with repairing the damage as soon as practically possible." |