Residents’ shock as fire breaks out in ‘lovely’ former school building in town centre

Residents have shared their shock after a building caught fire in the town centre. On Tuesday, May 30, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue crews were called to a former school site in Newark after recieving reports of a fire.

The fire broke out at around 5pm at the Lilley and Stone site on London Road. It has been reported that the fire broke out in an unused building at the back of the site, which has been destroyed by the blaze.

The incident comes after the police have warned youths in the area that the site is “not a playground” following instances of trespassing. Inquiries are still taking place to help establish the cause of the fire.

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Speaking of the incident, secretary of Newark Tennis Club, which is located adjacent to the building, said: “The building that actually caught fire was adjacent to the drive way that we use as the approach to the tennis club. It was disruptive for a day or so whilst the fire brigade and police were in attendance.

“It was actually one of our members that was walking down the approach road and realised the building was on fire. The owners of the site have had more security on there so there is a 24 hour security guard who is on the site and was on the site before the fire.

“Our member went back to tell him just as the fire brigade arrived, so members of the public must have seen the smoke.” He continued: “From a club perspective we have not been impacted, we have been able to continue playing.

“It was just a bit disruptive for people getting from the area.” Residents in the area have also spoken out about the fire.

A woman in her 50s who did not wish to be named said: “I didn’t really see anything, I just heard the fire engines. It smelt like someone was burning rubbish in their garden.”

Retired Moira Sherwood, 58, said: “I just smelt the smoke and heard the fire brigade. I saw all the smoke going up as I live down the next road.

“I could smell the smoke.” Moira explained that there has been some issues with youths at the former site.

She added: “It’s a shame as it’s a lovely building. They are supposed to be developing it”

A resident who did not wish to be named stated: “I didn’t hear anything but I’ve heard about it since. I’m not surprised as there’s been issues there for a while.

“They have chains up and security there now.”

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