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Boys aged 12 and 14 arrested following major fire at Grade II listed Escobar building in Nottingham
Overview
Two boys aged 12 and 14 have been arrested on suspicion of arson following a major fire at the Grade II listed Escobar building in Market Street, Nottingham city centre. Around 60 firefighters tackled the blaze late on Monday, which left the building at risk of internal collapse and caused widespread transport disruption and road closures. No serious injuries were reported, and a joint police and fire investigation is ongoing.
Key points
- Two boys, aged 12 and 14, were arrested on suspicion of arson and remain in police custody.
- Around 60 firefighters and 12 fire crews responded to the blaze at the Grade II listed Escobar building shortly before 23:00 BST on Monday.
- The fire caused significant internal damage, leaving the building with no roof and at risk of internal collapse, according to fire officials.
- No serious injuries were reported, though about a dozen residents and four businesses were affected by the emergency response and evacuations.
- Road closures, including Market Street and Upper Parliament Street, along with tram and bus service disruptions, were put in place due to the incident.
- A joint police and fire investigation into the cause of the fire is currently underway.