Residents living near a historic building in Basford that went up in flames have said it is a "shame" but believe it could now "be turned into something nice". Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue service were called to a fire at the derelict Vedonis building at Bar Lane Industrial Estate in Old Basford at 5:53pm on Saturday (June 18).
Crews from Stockhill, Arnold, Stapleford, Highfields, and the aerial ladder platform from London Road fire station attended, using thermal imaging cameras, breathing apparatus, forcible entry tools and high pressure hose reels to extinguish the fire. No casualties were reported but significant damage was caused to the former sewing factory, with a local councillor calling the fire a "tragedy".
Nottinghamshire Police confirmed an investigation has been launched. Residents and business owners in the area have said it's a "shame" the heritage asset caught fire.
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Heather Kingby, 36, of Bar Lane, said: "It's a protected building and it's a shame to see it happen there. You can imagine there is plenty of talk on local WhatsApp groups about what has happened. It's a building that could be turned into something nice. There's something there that could perhaps get the local community engaged."
Heather's partner Chris Manning, 36, said: "I went down to watch them put out the fire almost from the start. There were two fire engines by the time I got there, then another two arrives and another came up Bar Lane. I'm not sure what happened inside but I think they had the flames out within 10 or 15 minutes. The damage to the outside is not that bad from what I can see and a ladder platform helped."
Muhammad Butt, owner of MSB MOT & Repairs on the industrial estate, said: "When I was here, the fire had already started and Percy Street was closed off, that was around 7.30pm or so. I saw a little bit of smoke and I think it was contained by then.
"It was put out very quickly. The area is fine around here and there is not usually any trouble."
Drilon Osmanaj, 34, who is unemployed and was drinking a cup of tea at Bar Lane Café, said: "I've known kids to be in the building before. If it happened earlier (on in the day), someone could have maybe seen within, because after 5pm everything around here (on the industrial estate) is closed."
Police are appealing for anyone who may have seen anything suspicious to come forward.
Inspector John Lees, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: "This was a large fire at a derelict building that has been unused for several years. We are currently working with our colleagues at Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service to understand how this blaze started.
"We would therefore like to hear from anyone who was either in the area at the time, or who has additional information about what might have happened."
Anyone with additional information is urged to call 101 quoting incident 572 of June 18.
