Fire at listed building 'started deliberately'

Liam Barnes
BBC News, East Midlands
Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service Aerial ladder platform and police cordon at smoking buildingDerbyshire Fire and Rescue Service
An aerial ladder platform was used to tackle the blaze

A fire at a Grade II listed building in Derby was started deliberately, the fire service have said.

Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service (DFRS) said four crews were required to deal with the blaze at a former maternity hospital in Osmaston Road shortly after 04:10 BST on Friday.

Charnwood Street, Melbourne Street, Hartington Street and Osmaston Road were cordoned off by police during the operation but have since reopened.

DFRS said a joint police and fire investigation into the cause of the fire concluded the blaze was "most likely" started deliberately.

This was due to the introduction of a naked flame to combustible materials, the fire service added.

It said structural engineers had been called to assess the building's safety.

Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service Fire engine at smoking buildingDerbyshire Fire and Rescue Service
Multiple crews were sent to the scene on Friday morning

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