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City nightclub destroyed by fire City nightclub destroyed by fire
(about 3 hours later)
A major fire has destroyed a nightclub in Birmingham's city centre. A major fire has destroyed a busy 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. Five hundred people had to be led to safety as the blaze took hold in the early hours at Edward's No.8 club.
A fire service spokesman said initial reports suggested there were people trapped in the building, but paramedics have not taken anyone to hospital. Ten people were treated for minor injuries but firefighters, who praised the nightclub staff for their actions, believe all inside the club escaped.
He said firefighters were making "good progress" in trying to prevent the fire spreading to the ground floor of the building, which could collapse. Up to 50 firefighters tackled the blaze and prevented the flames spreading to nearby apartment blocks. Structural tests will be carried out later.
A structural engineer carried out a visual inspection of the outside of the club and further inspections will take place later. About 25 firefighters remained at the scene in Lower Severn Street on Sunday.
Building evacuatedBuilding 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.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. A West Midlands Fire Service spokeswoman said the club 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. It was initially feared that club-goers could have been trapped in the burning building but it was later determined that everyone inside had escaped.
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."