A resident has spoken of their disappointment after an incident which saw a former nightclub set alight and three teenagers arrested.
Officers have erected a cordon around Wesley Square following a fire yesterday evening (November 7) which emergency services were still attending this morning.
Three teenagers, two aged 15 and one aged 16, were arrested on suspicion of arson and they have been bailed with conditions.
One resident said the incident was "very disappointing" and added they were shocked by the damage.
They said: "It used to be a chapel years ago, and then it was a nightclub, and then it was left to rack and ruin.
"The council are trying to rebuild it and make it into a hotel, but it's very disappointing that it's been destroyed by fire.
"It's important to the town for business and jobs.
"I hope it can be saved, it would be such a shame with it being a very old building and its historic value."
A Cleveland Police spokesperson said: "Cleveland Police received reports of a fire on Wesley Square, Hartlepool at around 6pm on Tuesday 7th November.
"Officers attended, alongside colleagues from Cleveland Fire Brigade, and closed Wesley Square and Victoria Road whilst emergency services dealt with the incident.
"The area has been cordoned off and road closures remain in place at this time.
"Officers would like to thank the community for their patience whilst they have been dealing with the incident.
"Anyone with information should contact us on 101, quoting reference number 221645."
Most read:
- Images released of new bungalows on Salters Lane in Trimdon
- Police descend on Ferryhill bingo hall in County Durham
- Stillington fire LIVE: Firefighters attend farm blaze
Get more from The Northern Echo with a Premium Plus annual subscription. Click here.
A CFB spokesperson confirmed they deployed five appliances to the scene yesterday and that an aerial ladder was in attendance.
The grade II listed building was the target of a suspected arson attack in December 2017 which left it gutted inside with the roof destroyed.
Work to repair it began in March this year to turn the former chapel into a hotel as part of a £4.1m scheme by Hartlepool Borough Council and property developer Jomast.
Here are some more pictures from the scene:
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article