Market Hotel fire: Investigation launched after fire breaks out in Hartlepool's Lynn Street

Emergency services were called to the former Market Hotel in Lynn Street at around 11pm on Friday, June 25, after reports of smoke coming out from the upper window.

Crews from Hartlepool, Thornaby and Saltburn attended as firefighters tackled the blaze into the early hours of Saturday morning.

Fire fighters said the derelict Grade II-listed building, which has stood empty since June 2007, suffered 30% fire damage to the first floor.

Firefighters used six breathing apparatus, three hose reel jets and thermal imaging cameras while containing the flames.

Cleveland Police have said that the incident has been logged as a crime and investigations are ongoing.

A Force spokesperson said: “Police were called regarding a fire at a vacant pub on Lynn Street in Hartlepool around 11:30pm on Friday 25th June.

"The incident has been logged as a crime and investigations are ongoing.”

Cleveland Fire Brigade have confirmed that the cause of the fire is being investigated.

A spokesperson said: “Called at 22:50 to fire at derelict building (former Market Hotel).

“Fire Brigade attended an unoccupied public house with smoke issuing from upper window.

“Three fire appliances and one hydraulic platform attended.

“Cause under investigation with Cleveland Police.

“Left incident at 01:35.”

The Grade-II listed Market Hotel site is among the locations listed for housing development by Hartlepool Borough Council, after heritage chiefs concluded its state of disrepair meant the building's historic significance had been diminished.

Council chiefs are looking to provide a total of 47 affordable rented housing units, which will be owned and managed by the local authority, across three sites in the town centre area.

The other two sites are another plot in Lynn Street, which is currently home to a council depot, land in Whitby Street, currently home to the Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centre.

This would feature seven units at the site of the Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centre, four units at the Market Hotel site, and 36 at the depot site.

The aim is for the project to be complete by May 2023.

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