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City nightclub destroyed by fire | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A major fire has destroyed a nightclub in Birmingham's city centre. | |
The blaze, which began in the early hours at Edward's No.8 club, was tackled by 10 fire crews at its height. | |
A fire service spokesman said initial reports suggested there were people trapped in the building, but paramedics have not taken anyone to hospital. | A fire service spokesman said initial reports suggested there were people trapped in the building, but paramedics have not taken anyone to hospital. |
He said firefighters were making "good progress" in trying to prevent the fire spreading to the ground floor of the building, which could collapse. | |
A structural engineer carried out a visual inspection of the outside of the club and further inspections will take place later. | |
Building evacuated | Building evacuated |
A West Midlands Ambulance spokesman said three people were treated at the scene, in Lower Severn Street, where a crew remains "on standby". | |
Fire crews were alerted at about 0110 GMT, and appliances from across the city were called in. | |
A West Midlands Fire Service spokeswoman said the club, which was open when the fire broke out, had been evacuated by the time they were called. | |
"The club couldn't confirm that everyone was out of the building, however, so there is a possibility of people still being in there and our crews are checking," she said. | |
The "severe" fire started in the roof of the three-storey building and spread to the building next door. | The "severe" fire started in the roof of the three-storey building and spread to the building next door. |
One eyewitness, who lives in an apartment block close to the scene, said he could see flames and smoke shooting from the roof of the club. | One eyewitness, who lives in an apartment block close to the scene, said he could see flames and smoke shooting from the roof of the club. |
Rabinder Bhachu, a BBC employee, said: "I was woken up by the noise of the fire engines, as well as the smell of smoke coming into my building. | Rabinder Bhachu, a BBC employee, said: "I was woken up by the noise of the fire engines, as well as the smell of smoke coming into my building. |
"The club is between two streets, and there seems to be flames coming from either side of the building. It does seem to be spreading." | "The club is between two streets, and there seems to be flames coming from either side of the building. It does seem to be spreading." |