Concerns raised after fire at derelict building in Portsmouth

CONCERNS have been raised about a derelict building after firefighters tackled a blaze.
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Four crews were called to the Labour party's former offices at Unity Hall, Coburg Street, Landport, at 6.40pm on Saturday.

Firefighters, assisted with the city's aerial ladder platform, put out the fire and left within 40 minutes.

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Police attended with the crews and now nearby residents have raised concerns about the building.

Fire crews tackle an incident at Unity Hall in Coburg Street in Landport, Portsmouth, on February 1 2020 at around 6.40pm. Picture: Bonnie AshleyFire crews tackle an incident at Unity Hall in Coburg Street in Landport, Portsmouth, on February 1 2020 at around 6.40pm. Picture: Bonnie Ashley
Fire crews tackle an incident at Unity Hall in Coburg Street in Landport, Portsmouth, on February 1 2020 at around 6.40pm. Picture: Bonnie Ashley
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A 29-year-old woman, who lives nearby, said: 'I live behind it and could see the smoke coming out the top, police are out most days chasing kids off the roof.

'They don’t understand how much danger they are putting others in, as well as them falling.

'The green behind it has lots of broken tiles around on it where they just launch them.

Proposed student block development at Unity Hall in Coburg Street, Landport, Portsmouth. Picture: PDP ArchitectsProposed student block development at Unity Hall in Coburg Street, Landport, Portsmouth. Picture: PDP Architects
Proposed student block development at Unity Hall in Coburg Street, Landport, Portsmouth. Picture: PDP Architects
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'They know they get a telling off and that’s it so they keep going up there.'

Bonnie Ashley took photos of the incident and said it was 'terrible'.

Hampshire police has been contacted by The News. The fire cause has not been confirmed.

Permission was granted by councillors in November 2018 for an 11-storey student block, replacing the current three-storey building.

The building is on the edge of the Holbrook Road near Asda.