A MASSIVE fire sent plumes of smoke and flickering flames into the air this morning as residents were urged to stay indoors and keep their windows closed.
Dozens of roads were closed in central Northampton as fire crews battled the inferno at the old bar – which broke out at around 5.30am.
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A massive fire broke out in Northampton this morningCredit: Twitter/@ShamishMonster
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Clouds of smoke could be seen for miles Credit: Twitter/@NNweather
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Locals quickly posted footage of the fire onlineCredit: Facebook
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Shocking footage shows flames shooting out of the derelict building prompting calls for police to issue an emergency alert.
Smoke could be seen for miles as the “large-scale fire” burned.
Locals shared footage online of it pouring into the sky, as flames leaped into the air.
A cordon has been set up in the city center while emergency services work to extinguish the fire.
Deputy Chief Fire Officer Simon Tuhill said they expected to be there for most of the day and would only open roads when it was safe to do so.
Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that all hell broke loose at the derelict building which used to be the Fat Cats bar.
A fire broke out in the building in 2012, leaving only a shell surrounded by scaffolding.
But developers have revealed plans in 2022 to turn the former boozer into a block of flats.
Crews fought the fire for hours this morning, and were still extinguishing hot spots at 10 a.m.
The fire service said: “A 1,640ft cordon has been put in place around the building in Bridge Street.
“Several major routes in and around Northampton town center have been closed this morning due to a large fire on Bridge Street.
“The fire is in a neglected building.
“A 500m cordon has been put in place to allow fire crews to deal with the incident which has so far resulted in the closure of Bridge Street, Angel Street, Derngate and Victoria Promenade.
“Road users are asked to find alternative routes and to avoid the area until further notice. Residents and local businesses are advised to keep their doors and windows closed due to the heavy plume of smoke.
“We are trying to reduce the cordon in order to provide access to the wider city center, but there will probably be delays for most of the day.
‘Several routes closed’
“Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service have seven pumps on site tackling the fire. We are liaising with West Northamptonshire Council and are sorry for the disruption.”
Northamptonshire Police warned locals to be vigilant as fire crews battled the blaze.
The force said: “Several major routes in and around Northampton city center have been closed this morning due to a large fire in Bridge Street.
“We will provide additional updates as we have more information.”
The force added: “There is no access via St Peter’s Way, Gold Street, Abington Street or The Drapery. We will let you know when we have further information.”
The fire comes just months after a fire broke out at another Bridge St building.
Hell reigned in the former Balon bar in August of last year.
The three-story building was empty at the time of the fire.
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Aerial footage shows flames tearing through a building in Bridge Street. Credits: Twitter/@asadrana284
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Locals are urged to stay inside Credit: Twitter/@ShamishMonster
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A fire also engulfed the pub in 2012. Credit: Twitter/@onewingedjulian
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Crews have been working to extinguish the fire for hoursCredit: Facebook
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The fire comes just months after another building was destroyed in Bridge StreetCredit: West Northamptonshire Council
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