Pictures from scene show fire damage at former Hartlepool Engineers Club

The fire, which has been described as ‘well alight' when crews arrived, ripped through the first floor of the derelict Raby Road building.

Firefighters were called late on Monday night and spent three hours at the scene with four fire engines and a combined aerial rescue pump used to extinguish the fire.

Cleveland Fire Brigade has confirmed the cause of the fire is unknown and an investigation will take place.

Watch manager Gary Crawford, at Hartlepool Station, said: 'We were called at 11.15pm to a fire at the Engineer's Club. We originally sent two appliances.

"The fire was well alight on the first floor.

"Ultimately we used four fire engines and a CARP (combined aerial rescue pump).

"We were there for three hours and there was no one inside.

"The cause of the fire is unknown and there will be an investigation."

Cleveland Police were also called to the scene and have confirmed officers are investigating the incident.

A spokeswoman for the force said: “Police attended a fire at the Hartlepool Engineers Club building, Raby Road, at 11.40pm last night (Monday, November 23). The fire service were already at the scene and police assisted with closing Raby Road to traffic.

“Police are investigating the incident, no arrests have been made at this time.

"Anyone with any information, including dashcam or CCTV which may assist, is asked to call Hartlepool CID on 101, reference 192422.”

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