Investigation finds Derby Hippodrome fire was arson
A fire at a former theatre in Derby was started deliberately, according to Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service.Firefighters were called to the Hippodrome in Green Lane to deal with a blaze on Friday.Crews from Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire sent five fire engines and two aerial ladder platforms to the scene and left the site by Saturday morning.On Sunday, Derby City Council said it had used emergency planning powers to send contractors in to level the Grade II listed site.
The fire service said an investigation "concluded the fire was started deliberately".The theatre dates back to 1914 but was last used as a bingo hall before it shut in 2007.In February, the Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust said it hoped to compulsory purchase the site with ambitions to bring it back into use as a music venue.
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