Arson investigation after abandoned pub fire

A fire in an abandoned pub is being investigated as a suspected arson attack.

Nottinghamshire Police and Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service are carrying out joint investigations following the blaze at the former Bakersfield public house, in Oakdale Road, Bakersfield, Nottingham.

Emergency services were called to reports of a fire in the building around 9pm on Wednesday (11 September).

It is not believed anyone was injured in the fire.

Officers are carrying out a number of local inquiries, making use of a police drone and studying CCTV as part of their investigation to discover exactly what happened.

Detective Sergeant Chris Mavers, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“Our investigations are at an early stage but initial indications suggest this fire was started deliberately.

“Arson is an extremely serious offence that can lead to tragic consequences, so we will be working hard to find out who is responsible.

“Derelict sites such as the building targeted in this incident can be extremely dangerous, so it’s important that people stay away.

“We’d urge anyone with any information, or relevant footage of the incident, to get in touch with officers.”

Station Manager at Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, Richard Booth, said:

“From the competition of our fire investigation, we have deemed the cause of the fire as deliberate. The fire was started on the first floor of the building, and it spread to the roof.

“The disused pub has been left severely fire-damaged and may now be structurally unsafe, so we ask that the public stay away from the site for their safety.

“We will continue to work closely with our Nottinghamshire Police colleagues to ensure this incident is resolved.”

Anyone with any information should call police on 101, quoting incident 633 of 11 September 2024, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.