Abandoned Bakersfield pub fire being treated as arson attack as police issue update
A devastating fire at an abandoned Nottingham pub is being treated as an arson attack as police warn people to stay away from the site. Crews attended the major fire at the former home of The Bakersfield pub on Oakdale Road at around 9pm on Wednesday (September 11).
Once known as the Tally Ho, the old pub was the subject of a planning application that would see it demolished and replaced with 13 houses and eight flats. Those plans were tipped for approval at a September 18 meeting of Nottingham City Council's planning committee.
Developers now say they will be working to secure the site again after the fire left windows smashed and the roof destroyed. Nottinghamshire Police and Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue have now both confirmed that they believe the fire was started deliberately.
Detective Sergeant Chris Mavers, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: "Our investigations are at an early stage but initial indications suggest this fire was started deliberately. Arson is an extremely serious offence that can lead to tragic consequences, so we will be working hard to find out who is responsible.
"Derelict sites such as the building targeted in this incident can be extremely dangerous, so it's important that people stay away. We'd urge anyone with any information, or relevant footage of the incident, to get in touch with officers."
Richard Booth, station manager and lead fire investigator at Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "From the completion of our fire investigation, we have deemed the cause of the fire as deliberate. The fire was started on the first floor of the building, and it spread to the roof.
"The disused pub has been left severely fire-damaged and may now be structurally unsafe, so we ask that the public stay away from the site for their safety. We will continue to work closely with our Nottinghamshire Police colleagues to ensure this incident is resolved, but in the meantime, if anyone has any further information, we ask that you report it."
It is not believed anyone was injured in the fire. Anyone with any information should call police on 101, quoting incident 633 of September 11.