The intense fire damaged the new Northumbria University campus

Crews spent Monday night battling the blaze at the former Warner Brothers site in New Bridge Street, Newcastle.

The nearby School of Design did not catch fire but a four-storey, private-owned building destined to be student flats was burned to the ground.

A university spokesman said he was confident the campus would still open as planned in September.

Tyne and Wear Fire Brigade said it received around 40 calls in only six minutes at 2145 BST from people watching the flames on New Bridge Street.

A spokesman said many of the School of Design Building's pillars and windows cracked in the intense heat.

David Chesser, deputy vice-chancellor of resources at the University, said: "Fortunately, there were no injuries and damage to the School of Design Building was minimal.

"An early assessment has revealed that the building has sustained some heat damage to the stair towers on the east and south side of the building and smoke damage to the exterior walls.

'Extremely severe'

"Our construction company, will be carrying out a comprehensive inspection later today to further assess the situation.

"We are confident that the buildings will open as planned in time for the September student intake."

Seven cars and a crane were also destroyed in the blaze and embers from the fire also caused damage to nearby house roofs.

Fire Service deputy chief fire officer, Iain Bathgate, praised the 25 crews who tackled the fire.

He said: "It was extremely severe and had the potential to spread much further than it did.

"I would like to praise all the crews who had an extremely busy night in difficult circumstances.

"Their skill and dedication meant the fire was brought under control as quickly as possible and limited the extent of the damage."