Fire investigators have deemed a fire in Smallthorne, Stoke-on-Trent, at the weekend to be deliberate.

A spokesperson for Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "Crews went to Ford Green Road in Smallthorne at around 2.20pm on Sunday 24 March following reports of a fire.

"We extinguished the blaze and searched the area. No-one was found inside the building.

"Fire investigators later deemed the cause of the fire to be deliberate."

Fire investigators have deemed the cause of the fire to be deliberate (Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service).

A spokesperson for Staffordshire Police added: "The building has also been deemed unsafe and we're advising people not to go near it at this time.

"Witnesses described seeing a group of young people, aged 12 to 14, running away from the area. 

"If you were in the area at the time and have any CCTV or information that could help us with our enquiries, call us on 101, quoting incident 321 of 24 March, or message us using Live Chat on our website."

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