Fire at ex-criminal hospital that held Kray twin

A fire on the site of a former psychiatric hospital where notorious criminals were held has been extinguished, the fire service has said.

Flames were seen in a derelict building at the old Broadmoor Hospital site on Chaplains Hill in Crowthorne, Berkshire, just after 09:30 BST.

It took about 40 firefighters to bring the well-developed blaze under control, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) said.

No injuries have been reported.

Crews had been tackling the fire since about 09:30 BST

The fire service confirmed the fire was not located at the current hospital site and said there was no risk to patients and staff.

People in the area were warned to stay clear of the site and keep their windows and doors shut.

Crews were likely to remain at the scene for some time damping down the area, RBFRS added.

An investigation will be carried out to determine the cause.

The infamous Broadmoor Hospital building was completed in the 1860s

Built in 1863, the Grade II-listed building was the country's first asylum for the criminally insane.

The Victorian hospital housed notorious criminals including gangster Ronnie Kray and serial killer Peter Sutcliffe.

The 150-year old site closed its doors in 2019.

Patients and staff were moved into the new Broadmoor Hospital, a £250m high-security site for men detained under the Mental Health Act.