Campo Lane fire Sheffield: Arsonists thought to have caused major fire at historic Victorian office building

Firefighters believe a blaze that caused damage to a historic Victorian building in Sheffield city centre on Friday night was arson.

Emergency services were called out the building, which dates back to 1855, after receiving a call on Friday night, after flames had been spotted at the property, on the corner of Campo Lane and North Church Street.

A spokesman for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "Several fire crews (Central, Rivelin, Parkway and Birley) were called out to a premise fire at 10.50pm on North Church Street, Sheffield."

"The fire had spread into the roof space and is believed to have been started deliberately. The crews left the scene at 2:10am."

They said four pumps and one aerial ladder platform had been sent to the scene. The fire was in the roof of the building and firefighters used one main jet externally and two hose reels to extinguish this fire. There were no reported injuries, they added.

The building, which displays the year 1855 above its doorway, has been used as offices in recent years, with former tenants including the law firm GWB Harthills.

South Yorkshire Police said in a statement: "Emergency services were called to reports of a fire at a derelict building in North Church Street, Sheffield, shortly before 10pm on Saturday 7 October.

"No one was injured during the incident and a joint investigation is now underway to establish the cause of the fire.

"At this time, the fire is being treated as suspicious. Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with information is being asked to call 101 quoting incident number 981 of 7 October 2023.