Winsford fire: Firefighters investigate cause of bingo hall blaze

Eight fire engines attended the incident at its peak yesterday, February 7, after a fire broke out at the former cinema and bingo hall, in Dingle Lane.

Crews extinguished the flames at 5pm yesterday and remained at the scene throughout the night, damping down the area with two main jets and looking for hotspots with a thermal imaging camera.

One fire engine remained at the scene until 4.40pm today, while a minor fire hotspot had to be dealt with earlier this afternoon.

Eight fire engines were sent out to deal with the blaze

In a statement issued this afternoon, February 8, a Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “Firefighters are investigating the cause and structural engineers are on site assessing the building.

“The crew is continuing to monitor the temperature with a thermal imaging camera.”

Asbestos-filled smoke billowed over Winsford on Sunday as crews from Winsford, Warrington, Northwich, Crewe and Middlewich all attended the scene from 2.30pm.

The fire was located on the ground floor, with smoke issuing from all three floors, and crews tackled the flames using a main jet and a high pressure hose reel.

The fire was on the ground floor with smoke coming from all three floors

A number of people were evacuated from homes nearby as a safety precaution, while residents in Dingle Lane and Dene Drive were advised to close all windows and doors, and to remain inside.

Road closures were put in place in High Street, Dingle Lane, Drumber Road, Weaver Street and Dene Drive.

In a statement, Cllr Mandy Clare said the fire was ‘so very sad to see’.

She added: “I was unable to visit the scene as officers were advising people to stay away and stay indoors for safety reasons.

“I’m just really sorry to see this building so damaged and very relieved nobody was hurt.

Crews worked around the clock to keep the site safe

“I would like to thank the emergency services for the difficult and risky job they do.”

A planning application for 42 apartments at the site, with the historic front of Winsford Drill Hall retained, was submitted in June 2019 and a decision is yet to be made by Cheshire West and Chester Council.