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Person Missing After 'Severe' Fire In Gift Shop

One person remains unaccounted for after a "severe" fire at a building in Newcastle city centre.

More than 50 firefighters battled to get the blaze on Cross Street under control after being called shortly before 9am.

Members of the public were advised to avoid the area surrounding the building, which contains the Kard Bar gift shop and three floors above.

The fire caused the roof to collapse.

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service said it was understood there may be someone on the upper floors of the building.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer John Baines said: "The structural safety of the building will need to be assessed before we can enter the building to begin our investigations in conjunction with Northumbria Police and partners.

"At this stage we cannot confirm all persons are accounted for."

Fire crews on aerial ladders continued to shoot jets of water into the building seven hours after the fire started.

A strong smell of smoke could be detected in the area, with dozens of people gathered behind the police cordon watching what was going on.

Northumbria Police said no one had been reported missing, but there is concern locally for a person who might have been caught up in the fire.

Nearby student accommodation has been evacuated as a precaution, Superintendent Bruce Storey said.

Local residents have been advised to keep their doors and windows closed due to the smoke.