Arson probe after blaze at Scruples

FIRE CREWS tackle the blaze at the former Scruples nightclub from the rear. Picture by Chronicle reader AARON WEST

AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after a fire at a former nightclub in Oldham town centre.

A total of six fire engines were on hand at the disused Scruples Nightclub to tackle the blaze which is understood to have originated from multiple sites.

Crews from Oldham and Hollinwood arrived in Yorkshire Street at around 6.30pm on Friday and remained in attendance to dampen the site down until 11pm.

There was no one in the building at the point of arrival and no injuries although an ambulance crew attended as a precaution.

Local resident Bradley Smith said: "There were problems on Yorkshire Street due to a fire at the old Scruples Nightclub.

"I saw one fire engine on Yorkshire Street and two around the back. Yorkshire Street was blocked off from the Chinese buffet down to Horsedge Street."

Several nearby residents took photos of the incident including Aaron West, who watched the incident from neighbouring Astoria apartments.

Aaron said: "The fire seemed to be started from inside the empty building. But I did see people in there two days ago gutting it out."

While Gary Furness, who also witnessed the blaze, said: "Yorkshire Street was closed and I saw fire engines and paramedics in attendance."

There were four fire engines and two support vehicles led by Oldham's Green Watch who used breathing apparatus and high pressure hose reels to tackle the fire.

Crew manager Tony Cuschera, from Hollins, said: "There were no people inside.

"We suspect that there might have been multiple fire sites, a couple of places where arsonists started the fire.

"There was lots of rubbish inside the building.

"An investigation is ongoing."