Old Middlesbrough fire station is reduced to rubble to make way for new state-of-the-art community station

Cleveland Fire Brigade considered retaining it but it was decided the cost of improvements needed to bring it up to date would be too great

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Middlesbrough fire station demolished

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A piece of Middlesbrough’s history is being extinguished with the demolition of the old fire station.

Demolition is under way to clear the site for a new fire station to be built in the town.

The current station in Park Road South has been reduced to rubble, to be replaced by a new state-of-the-art community fire station.

Built in 1939 and said to have been haunted, it is being demolished apart from the fire station tower, which is being kept.

The building has previously been considered for listing by English Heritage but it was considered it did not meet the required standards.

Cleveland Fire Brigade also considered retaining it but it was decided the cost of improvements needed to bring it up to date would be too great.

Instead, a new fire station with community facilities will rise on the site.

The brigade says that, as well as being a modern new home for the fire service, it would also provide an element of community involvement and educational programmes.

There will be a mini fire station, enabling the brigade to provide targeted activities for children and young people. Facilities would also include a community meeting room and a gym.

Ian Hayton, chief fire officer with Cleveland Fire Brigade, has promised the new station would “serve the community proud throughout the 21st century”.

It is expected work on the new station could start at the end of this month and will be completed by March next year.

Ray Khaliq, the brigade’s director of technical services, said: “The building is down.

“They have obviously got to remove the rubble. It was quite an imposing building, it has got to be said.

“It had a lot of history and a lot of memories. Whilst local residents were sad to see it go, in the main I would say over 90% liked our plans.”

He said some people had felt quite strongly about keeping the tower. This will be retained and clock faces would be installed.

Mr Khaliq said: “It will be lit up so it will be a bit of a feature, especially from the park. It will enhance the skyline certainly.”

In the meantime, said Mr Khaliq, there would be no disruption to fire services, adding: “We are still delivering them from our temporary fire station at Newport South Business Park.”