Investigation begins into cause of former Wade Ceramics building fire in Stoke-on-Trent
An investigation has begun into the cause of a "deliberate" fire at the former Wade Ceramics building in Stoke-on-Trent.
Six fire crews from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue were called out to the building on Westport Road, in Burslem, after 8pm on Sunday 27 April and Staffordshire Police is now leading the investigation.
Work to extinguish the fire continued overnight until 2am and two fire engines returned to the scene just after 10am on Monday to asses the damage and investigate the cause of the fire.
A spokesperson for Staffordshire Fire and Rescue said: "Firefighters have extinguished a large fire at a derelict factory site in Stoke-on-Trent.
"We were called to Westport Road, Burslem, at 8.10pm yesterday (Sunday 27 April) following reports of smoke coming from the roof of a derelict building.
"Eight appliances attended the scene and used two main jets and two hydrants to extinguish the fire by around 2am today (Monday 28 April).
"Nobody was reported to be injured.
"The cause was deemed to be deliberate and the incident was left with colleagues from Staffordshire Police."
Much of the roof of the Grade-II listed building has collapsed and some windows are shattered. The brickwork remains intact, however there has been no information released about the structural integrity of the building as of yet.
This is not the first time a fire has started at the building.
Stoke-on-Trent North MP, David Williams, said he was "absolutely devastated" by the fire and has called for more support to safeguard heritage buildings.
The member for Stoke-on-Trent North said in a video on Facebook: "I've been talking about the need to safeguard our buildings to get the support in place to bring these buildings back into use.
"But yet again we can just see what's taking place and the people of Burslem, the people of the city are going to be absolutely devastated like I am to see it happening yet again.
"It's not okay we have to get the support in place to bring these buildings back into use and safeguard them because this is not acceptable."
Westport Road remains closed between Federation Road and Market Place.
Staffordshire Police is appealing for information. Anyone who has any information that could help the investigation is asked to contact the Police. Call 101, quoting incident 677 of 27 April, or use Live Chat on the website.
To report anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Cover image courtesy of Urban Media (Supplied).
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READ: Six fire crews at scene of building fire in Burslem
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Updated at: 28/04/25 12:00
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