FIREFIGHTERS have said a fire in a former youth club building in Crewe is being treated as 'suspicious'.

At the height of the fire, which began shortly after 3pm on Thursday, August 21, five fire crews were tackling the blaze in the derelict unit off Mirion Street.

On arrival crews found the building, measuring approximately 40 metres by 30 metres was well alight with flames coming through the roof and large plumes of smoke coming off the site.

They worked quickly to surround the fire and prevent it spreading to nearby properties.

Five fire engines were sent to the scene and residents in the Queen Street and Henry Street were being advised to stay indoors and keep windows closed while the fire was tackled.

Crews began fighting the fire from the outside using four hose reel jets and then broke into the rear of the building to assist in firefighting.

Four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus then entered the building to carry out precautionary checks to ensure the property was empty.

A hydraulic platform was used to damp to extinguish remaining hotspots from above.

A spokesperson for Cheshire Fire said: "We will be treating this fire as suspicious and working with Cheshire Police to find whoever is responsible.

"Please call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 if you have any information about the incident."