Second blaze at ex-bingo hall

A former cinema and bingo hall in Shropshire has been hit by fire for the second time in three days.

See also: Fire site future in doubt

The old Royal Bingo Club building in King Street, Dawley, Telford, has been devastated by the latest blaze, which broke out at about 9pm yesterday.

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Up to 35 firefighters faced difficulty as flames spread into the ceiling, with crews remaining on scene until 2am.

It is thought the fire was started by people who broke into the derelict building, which is due to be demolished to make way for new flats.

On Monday night fire broke out after another suspected arson attack.

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said the latest fire was of doubtful origin, while firefighters reported signs of forced entry when they attended Monday's fire.

Firefighters said asbestos in the roof meant the crews had to take extra care with yesterday's fire, which produced huge amounts of smoke.

Sub-officer Pete Hawkins, of Telford Central fire station, said old bingo seating, carpet and wooden benches had gone up in flames in the latest blaze.

"When we arrived there was quite a lot of smoke," he said.

"After calling for extra resources we had five pumps and an aerial ladder. Crews came from Telford, Wellington, Tweedale and Hodnet. There was no sign of flames from the outside, but smoke was issuing from all along the roof.

"It was difficult, because it had a suspended ceiling in and the fire had got in behind that.

"We had to be extra careful, but we prevented it from spreading to the asbestos."

The fires come after complaints from residents and Shaun Davies, a Great Dawley Parish Council member, that the derelict building is a danger.

A security fence at the site was stolen before Christmas and sub-officer Hawkins said the fire service was now talking to the owner about boarding up the building again.

David Poyner, whose firm David Poyner Homes is due to build 24 apartments there, has said demolition is due to begin imminently.

A fireman dampens down the interior of the bingo hall. Pictures by Andrew Cunningham.

Firemen outside the blaze-hit former Royal Bingo Club.

Firemen tackling the blaze in Dawley.

The front of the arson-hit building.

Another view of the devastation inside the former bingo hall.

Heyday - how the Royal Bingo Club used to look.