Norwich Pinebanks Centre gutted in 'severe' blaze

Firefighters had to establish nobody was "sleeping rough" in the building

A Victorian building on a site of historical interest on the outskirts of Norwich has been gutted in a "severe" blaze.

Fire crews were called to the Pinebanks Centre, a derelict social club in Thorpe Saint Andrew, at about 01:00.

More than 60 firefighters tackled flames "burning through the roof of the building", said incident commander Greg Preston.

An investigation is due to begin once the building is made safe, he added.

The 19th Century building has been unoccupied since 2008.

Fire crews will be damping down at the scene throughout the morning

The original villa was constructed in the early 1880s and extended in 1907