A fire tore through a derelict former nightclub near Newcastle Quayside which has already been ravaged by multiple fires.
Emergency crews attended the scene at the former Stereo nightclub, also previously known as the Barley Mow on City Road in Newcastle on Thursday evening. The road was subsequently closed off as traffic was diverted from the vicinity while the blaze was tackled.
Smoke drifted over Newcastle's Quayside and could be seen from Gateshead. Flames shot out from the building before firefighters arrived to dampen the fire down.
A previous blaze at the building on City Road in 2019 damaged the balcony and decking area of the three-storey building, as well as the exterior floors and walls. Police subsequently confirmed they were treating the incident as arson. There were also two fires at the building in summer 2020 and another in 2021.
Read more: Fire breaks out after suspected arson attack at derelict Stereo Bar near Newcastle Quayside
The former venue also had its roof and top floor gutted by a fire in 2011, before fires broke out at the same site in 2015 and 2016.
As yet, there has been no confirmation as to how the fire started. Neither Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service or Northumbria Police have said that an investigation is under way at this stage.
A spokeswoman for Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service said that fire engines were at the scene shortly after the first reports of the blaze which came in at approximately 6pm. Three pumps along with three engines and two ladder platforms were subsequently called out.
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She said: "We received a call at 6pm and arrived shortly after. We have three pumps, three engines and two ladder platforms at the scene."
A spokesman for the brigade later added: "We still have two appliances at the scene on City Road in Newcastle. The incident is still ongoing. We will have an additional officer at the scene shortly and potentially a drone to assist with the operation."
City Road was closed off to traffic as fire engines used the road to gain access to the building and attempt to put out the fire.
A spokeswoman for Northumbria Police also said that their officers were attendance at the scene to assist the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service by providing traffic management. She said: "We were alerted to the incident on City Road in Newcastle at around 6.30pm by Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service. We have been assisting Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service's crews at the scene by providing traffic management."
