Norwich: 30 Firefighters Tackle Children's Centre Fire

16 December 2012, 07:51 | Updated: 16 December 2012, 10:27

30 firefighters have spent the night trying to bring a fire at a Children's Centre in Norwich under control.

Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service were called just before 10pm last night to the Mile Cross Phoenix Childrens Project Community Centre on Mile Cross Road in Sprowston.

Crews from Sprowston, Earlham, Carrow, Hethersett, Wroxham and Loddon, an aerial ladder platform from Earlham and the Control Unit from Wymondham were all brought in to help.

The fire in the roof was put out at around 12.30am this morning.

The centre is a charity run to help children in one of the poorest areas of Norwich.  Firefighters have told Heart the damage done is substantial.

An investigation has now begun into what started the fire but it's believed it was started deliberately.  The damage is so bad the owners have been asked to get a structural engineer in, to look at whether it's safe to go inside.

Heart's Hannah Griffiths spoke to Richard Herrell from Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service at the scene:

Phoenix Centre Fire - Richard Herrell

Heart reporter Hannah Griffiths also spoke to Centre Trustee George Woodhouse shortly after the fire.

Phoenix Centre Fire - George Woodhouse