Building search underway as fears of body inside

Forensics officers have been investigating the scene of the fire

A search of a derelict wine bar after a fire in Stoke-on-Trent has got underway amid police concerns there may be a body inside the building.

A cordon has been in place around the former Yates wine bar on Brockley Square, off Trinity Street, Hanley, since Tuesday when the fire took hold at about 05.45 GMT.

Forensics officers and a specialist search and rescue team have started a search inside the building and this was expected to take a number of days, Staffordshire Police said on Friday.

They have not yet confirmed any discovery after they said on Thursday they believed there was a body inside the building.

A 63-year-old man, of no fixed address, who was arrested on suspicion of attempted arson with intent to endanger life has since been released and will face no further action.

The force said they were keen to hear from any taxi drivers who might have been in the area in the early hours of Tuesday.

A spokesperson for Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “We know this has caused lots of disruption and we’d like to thank people for their patience and understanding.”