A former nightclub was devastated by another fire with people questioning why it hasn't been redeveloped.
A fire broke out in the former 051 nightclub on Mount Pleasant in Liverpool City Centre at around 11.42am today, Tuesday, August 2. Merseyside Police closed both Mount Pleasant and Brownlow Hill while fire crews from four engines battled the blaze that started in a ground floor stair well of the building.
Thick black smoke billowed from a missing window panel on the top floor of the building with neighbours and local businesses being advised to close windows and doors. An acrid smell of smoke hung over nearby Brownlow Hill while fire crews worked to dampen down the fire and stop any spread.
READ MORE: Live updates as huge fire breaks out at former 051 nightclub
The nearby Mount Pleasant car park was closed while fire crews carried out a full search of the fire-affected building. Shoppers returning from the city centre were denied access by car park staff and had to wait outside. A member of staff confirmed to the ECHO shortly after 1pm that the car park had reopened for people to leave.
Crowds of people gathered outside nearby cafes and pubs to watch fire crews battle to gain access to the building to tackle the blaze. Crews appeared to cut their way into the building through a corrugated metal door on the first floor of the 051.
A nearby café worker told the ECHO he was the one who called the fire service after someone ran in and alerted him of the blaze. Mo, who works in 16 Swirls coffee and frozen yogurt shop on Mount Pleasant, said: "Someone came in and shouted 'there's a fire'. I called the fire service and they were here really quickly.
"Crowds of people gathered along the road and watched the fire crews. There are always things going on in the building though. People break in and cause trouble. I remember another fire in there on the ground floor a few months ago."
More than 60 fire fighters from 12 fire engines tackled a "large scale" fire at the former nightclub in October last year. A man was arrested on suspicion of arson and later released under investigation.
But onlookers who could see everything the fire crews did because of a lack of notable cordon told the ECHO the building needs to be developed to prevent anti-social behaviour. Three men from T J Thomas Estates were unable to continue on to a job because their van was caught within the police road closure.
One of the men, Thomas, told the ECHO : "We saw the smoke billowing out - it was crazy to be honest. We thought at first it was a dark black cloud and it was about to rain. Only after we saw it coming from an open window did we realise it was a fire.
"The fire service were on the scene within a couple of minutes and the police a little after. I don't know why they haven't knocked down the building yet - it's been empty for so long.
"I remember the old 051 back in the day. Knock it down, build student flats there or build something for the people of Liverpool."
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