Fire breaks out at council office

The fire damaged part of the building. Picture: Dale Neal, BBC

Dozens of firefighters have been tackling a fire at council buildings in the centre of Leicester.

Crews were called to the New Walk Centre in King Street earlier after a fire broke out on the fifth floor.

Firefighters using breathing apparatus were dealing with the flames while an aerial ladder was used to spray water on the building.

Roads around the building had been cordoned off and fire crews were damping down on Sunday afternoon.

A hazardous incident support unit had been sent to the scene. The cause is of the fire is not yet known.

'Business as usual'

Eyewitness Stephen Butt, who works for the BBC, said the flames took hold quite quickly.

As the fire progressed he said: "The black smoke was coming out of the windows, and some glass had fallen out, it appears to be two broken panes of glass had fallen down to the car park below."

Sheila Lock, the council's chief executive said: "We are working with the fire service to look at the extent of the damage so we can make a decision about opening B Block tomorrow.

"All staff who work in A block should attend work as normal. B Block staff will be contacted by their managers as soon as we have something to tell them.

"I would like to reassure members of the public that it will be business as usual tomorrow, and that none of our frontline services will be affected by this."