Derby: Smoke seen after 'significant fire' at disused property

Crews are tackling a fire at a disused property in Derby, which has sent huge plumes of smoke billowing into the sky.

Emergency services went to the building, located on the corner of Melbourne Street and Osmaston Road, just after 13:10 GMT on Friday.

Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said an area of the building's roof had been "completely destroyed".

Osmaston Road and Melbourne Street are expected to remain closed for some time, they said.

Five engines and an aerial ladder platform are at the scene.

It has advised residents to keep windows and doors closed due to the smoke.

Two aerial ladder platforms are in attendance

Lee Williams, group manager at the fire service, said: "On arrival, the incident commander recognised a significant fire coming through the roof. 

"Currently we are externally firefighting, utilising water jets from outside the property into the roof space. 

"There is a section of the derelict property where the roof has been completely destroyed."

The property is situated on the corner of Melbourne Street and Osmaston Road

Rob Tiochta, who was in the area at the time, told BBC Radio Derby: "I was just in the shop and all I saw was people outside looking up the road.

"There was a massive plume of smoke everywhere. It looked really bad.

"There were loads of police officers running from all over Derby, going to investigate."

BBC Radio Derby reporter Heidi Booth, who is at the scene, said the fire was at a Grade II listed building, which was the former nursing school in the city.

Five crews are tackling the blaze