Southsea fire not linked to riots
The fire at the former Joanna's nightclub
A HUGE blaze at a former nightclub is not linked to riots in other parts of the country, police say.
The fire at the old Joanna’s nightclub in South Parade, Southsea – opposite South Parade Pier – caused a power cut to about 500 homes in the area.
A sub-station in South Parade was damaged after part of the burning building collapsed onto it.
By 1am Southern Electric had managed to restore power to 400 homes, but it is thought around 10 to 20 homes will have to wait until midday before being connected.
Justyn Smith, spokesman for Southern Electric, said: ‘The issue we have got is our sub-station is in the exclusion zone that has been put up by the fire brigade.
‘The sub-station is where engineers would repair or re-route connections.
‘We anticipate this will be up until midday Wednesday, and until then some homes will be without power.
‘We apologise to customers, but hopefully they understand about the fire and that we are working as quickly as possible to restore power.’
A full investigation will be carried out but police say initial inquiries ‘do not point to arson.’
Officers were called at 5.35pm and firefighters were still tackling the blaze at 8pm.
At about 7.45pm a section of the roof collapsed as the fire continued to spread – and smoke could be seen for miles.
About 200 people gathered to watch the blaze.
Eastern Area Chief Inspector Ali Heydari, said: ‘It’s understandable that given the civil unrest in London, residents here may be concerned that this fire is a result of impending disorder in Portsmouth.
‘I think it’s important that we clarify that while the cause of the fire is being investigated, initial inquiries do not point to arson.
‘There is absolutely nothing to suggest this is linked to threats of disorder in Portsmouth.’
Portsmouth City Council set up an emergency rest centre in Southsea and it is understood that guests at the nearby Royal Beach Hotel in St Helens Parade, were evacuated as a precaution.
Moments after the fire started eyewitness Richard Morgan, 33, from Wimborne Road, Southsea, said: ‘The whole of the road and pier is obscured by thick smoke. There’s smoke coming from the top of one the buildings opposite the pier. There’s one fire engine with the crane extended but you literally can’t see anything.
‘The police have moved people back and blocked off the road with police tape on both sides.
‘And ambulance has turned up and police are shouting at people who are trying to walk along the seafront to move away.’
Matt Hetherington, 23, lives in a third-floor flat in Clarendon Road, Southsea, near the blaze. He said: ‘We just heard the sirens. I was a bit worried about it but I didn’t think it would be too much to do with the riots.
‘We went downstairs and there was smoke billowing out from the flats above the building. Within seconds the fire brigade were there.
‘At the time it was really bad. We are fine here. It was just a bit close to home – it’s the biggest fire I’ve ever seen.’
Leonie Tremain, 26, a repairs co-ordinator of Britannia Road, Southsea, said: ‘I was shopping after work and saw lots of people staring at the smoke cloud and when I looked I saw it was the old nightclub building. I was absolutely stunned so see it was on fire - it’s part of the memories of our youth.’
Susanne Bowles a retired factory worker of Alexandra Court in South Parade, said: ‘I looked out of my back window and was shocked to see the building on fire. It’s been standing empty for a long time. It’s unfortunate this has happened. I hope there’s no-one inside such as squatters.’
City councillor Donna Jones, deputy Tory group leader and planning committee member, said: ‘It’s a tragic loss of a very old building in Portsmouth. My thoughts are for residents who live in the immediate vicinity and I hope that the police and fire [service] investigating officers are able to get to the bottom of why it started.’
Witnesses should call Hampshire Constabulary on 101 or 0845 0454545
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Comments
There are 50 comments to this article
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blue bob
Thursday, August 11, 2011 at 10:00 PMbar blue was on the opposite sie of clarendon road, previously known as THE ESPLANADE in its long distant past. the savoy buildings incorporated all the previously mentioned clubs etc. THE MAIN ONE WAS THE SAVOY BALLROOM, but also had cafe's, a rock shop that produced its own southsea rock, and believe it or not in its long distant past incorporated a fairly large aquarium containing amongst other things, an extremely large turtle. Moving on to later years the ballroom was managed by george turner, and was famed for TED HEATH,& orchestra, lots of other big band names, then THE BEATLES, TOM JONES, & lots of other groups from the 60s era, ah, happy days, that was when the pier had its own massive firewoks display at midnights every Wednesday night, & the Rock gardens had a moving coloured fountain,& the seafront itself had the movng coloured lighting displays that blackpool has,albeit on a much smaller scale.
girlracer keep the faith
Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at 07:11 PM@MelA @nobody special. I lived on the top floor from 1968 - to the mid 80s. I was born into Flat 13. One of the maisonettes. All my formative years were part of the fabric of that building. When did you live there. Which Flat?
Mel A
Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at 05:19 PM@ Nobody Special: How long ago did you know someone on the top floor (we used to live on the top floor)? Been down there today, what a mess!!! I had some very special memories of that place (climbing up 4 flights of stairs to get home isn't one of them!!!). 5th AvenueTime & Envy was in the building that Redknapp has already knocked down, this building housed Joanna's & Peggy Sue'sZoom.
southsearesidents
Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at 12:07 PMWhy on earth are people arguing about which building has burnt down? There is no question that it was Joannas and Bar Blu wasn't even evacuated.
Christoff
Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at 10:47 AMYes, mightharriss is correct. The building that burnt was the Joannas part of Savoy Court, the last bit that was left standing of the old TimeEnvy (or 5thPeggy Sues depending on your age) block. I know it for sure for 2 reasons:- 1) I went & had a look last night 2) I ran Bar Bluu for 15 years A sad end to a big chunk of social history for many people IMHO. I suspect the mightyharriss is an old friend currently living abroad. Sawadeekap mate!
Kachine
Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at 08:24 AMMy apologies... getting my clubs mixed up, but it was above Lush - Zoom - Peggy Sus... which is what I meant. I worked there ten years, in Joannas, Zoom and the already demolished 5th Ave (then later worked at Bar Bluu, brain's getting too old to distinguish lol). Some of those pics do kinda skew the view a tad though, especially with that big chunk of building already missing. Either way, lots of memories up in smoke, can't say its a bad thing though, it's not like it was doing anthing useful there.
mightyharriss
Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at 05:05 AMhold my hands up...looks weird now that Time has been knocked down...
katatonik
Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at 04:31 AMHere is photo http:i51.tinypic.com2em1zro.jpg ;)
katatonik
Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at 04:27 AMIt is definitely the building that contained Joannas and Lush & Bliss. The building that contained Bar BleuFriscos etc was untouched.
mightyharriss
Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at 03:36 AMTo add.... The Pier was almost directly opposite Joannas... In the first picture it is well in the distance... I am correct and you and the NEWS are wrong...
mightyharriss
Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at 03:09 AMYou can clearly see on the 3rd picture down that it is Bar Bluu.. The building was renovated and made in to flats 12 years ago by Mike Richards. The Joannas building Was the same building that housed TimeEnvy(5th avenue) The casino, Zoombasement and Joannas. This build was near on opposite the pier... The News and you are very wrong
mightyharriss
Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at 03:06 AMno it was not..... I worked at Bar Bluu for many years... Joannas was above ZoomBasement, and next to Time envy... Check your facts buddy
Kachine
Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at 02:59 AMmightyharriss - Joannas was above Bar BluuFriscos. It's the same building, which was all on fire. The entrance was alongside, at the end of the building, then you go up the stairs and turn left, so the actual club was immediately above Bar Bluu's dancefloor area.
Kachine
Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at 02:57 AMmightyharriss - Joannas was above Bar BluuFriscos. It's the same building. The entrance was alongside, at the end of the building, then you go up the stairs and turn left, so the actual club was immediately above Bar Bluu's dancefloor area.
mightyharriss
Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at 02:45 AMwell it definately is not the ld Joanna @The News, it is FRiscosBar Bluu... Get your facts right... Jo's is further down
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