Suspected arson attack guts hall

Firefighters smashed holes in the roof to let smoke escape

A derelict bingo hall in Shropshire has been gutted in a fire, the second at the building in a week.

The old Royal Bingo hall, in Dawley, Telford, suffered major damage in the latest blaze, which started at about 2100 GMT on Tuesday.

Residents are now calling for action to secure the premises and stop further problems at the site, which they claim also suffers vandalism and fly tipping. Firefighters believe the fire was probably started deliberately.

Sue Lewis, landlady of the Queen's Head which is opposite the bingo hall, said firefighters smashed holes in the roof to let smoke escape.

"Now all the doors have been left open, it's going to be dangerous," she said.

Crews who attended an earlier fire on Monday night said that was also suspected arson.

The derelict building is due to be demolished for a new development.