Two city building fires break out during night

Fire crews were called to two fires in Stoke-on-Trent - one in a town centre building and the other in an old pottery factory.

More than 30 firefighters from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service were at the scene of a former commercial premises on Market Street, Longton, since about 03:00 BST on Tuesday.

The building was believed to be empty with no injuries reported, but nearby properties were evacuated and roads closed.

Firefighters were also called to a former Falcon pottery site on Old Town Road, Hanley, after 21:00 BST on Monday.

Six fire engines and two aerial ladder platforms were dispatched to the scene at Longton, while three fire engines and an aerial ladder platform were sent to the fire in Hanley.

The fire service said an investigation into the cause would take place in due course.

Susan from Wolstanton told BBC Radio Stoke she had run dance studios in the now derelict Longton building, and it used to be beautiful.

"To see it on fire was just heartbreaking ..so many children passed through our hands in that place, it's going to affect so many people," she said.

"I get so emotional about it, because it had so many happy memories."

A Stoke-on-Trent City Council spokesperson said: "Investigations are still ongoing into the cause of the fires at these buildings.

"At the moment Market Street, Longton, is still closed to vehicles and pedestrians while Staffordshire Fire and Rescue continue to work to make safe the buildings affected by the fire."

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