Boy, 15, arrested over disused cinema blaze

Investigators are still looking into the cause of the blaze in Hartlepool's old Odeon cinema

A 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a large fire damaged a disused cinema.

The blaze ripped through the former Odeon cinema on Dent Road, Hartlepool, on Saturday night.

Although officers could not say if the fire was deliberate, Cleveland Police said it had arrested the teenager on suspicion of arson.

The building is still cordoned off due to "significant fire damage" and road closures remain in place, police said.

An investigation into the cause of the fire is still being carried out by police and Cleveland Fire Brigade.

Engineers confirmed the building remained structurally unsafe, Hartlepool Borough Council said.

It said it was working with the building's owner to secure approval for work to make the building safe.

As the building was Grade II listed, it might take longer because statutory regulations meant as much of the heritage must be preserved as possible, the authority said.

Road closures on Raby Road and the end of Young Street and Dent Street would remain until approval and works were carried out on site, the council added.

Some residents evacuated from Joicey Court at the time of the fire are still in alternative accommodation.

The boy was arrested on Wednesday and has since been bailed.