RETRO: Firefighter's photos capture infamous Gatecrasher club blaze

June 18, 2007, the day Gatecrasher One burned down.

These new pictures, published by The Star for the first time (except the one, above, of the club after the fire), were sent in by reader Tim Ansell.

He later went on to become South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s official brigade photographer.

The images show fire crews dealing with the blaze, including shots of the thick smoke pouring from behind the Lord Nelson pub.

Five engines and about 25 firefighters tackled the blaze, and crews narrowly escaped harm when part of the Arundel Street end of the building suddenly collapsed.

The 1,350 capacity building opened in 1996 and was originally The Republic.

That changed in 2003 when £1.5million was spent on its refurbishment, when it became Gatecrasher, focusing on techno and dance music.

The fire is believed to have started in the DJ box, although no official explanation was ever found.

Sheffield City Council wanted the club to be reopened, according to reports, but analysis showed that the remains of the building were beyond repair, and it was demolished.

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