Venue closed after festival fire

Fire chiefs believe the blaze started in an electrical switch unit

One of the venues at the Shrewsbury Folk Festival had to be cordoned off following a fire in a bar area.

Thousands of people had been gathering for the annual festival, at the West Midland Showground, when the blaze started in the members' bar.

It is thought the fire was started in an electric switch.

Central Networks were called to the scene to help prevent power being affected at some of the other festival venues.

Firefighters were also ensuring there was no hazard from the asbestos in the roof.

Festival organiser Alan Surtees said that although the event had lost one venue they hoped it would not disrupt the programme too much.