Investigation begins into huge fire at Tall Trees hotel in Yarm

An investigation has begun into how a renowned former Teesside hotel went up in flames in a huge blaze.

Dozens of firefighters battled a major fire at Tall Trees, in Yarm, after being called at 3.30am on Sunday.

Crews remained at the scene until almost 5pm and a joint police and fire brigade probe has now started into the cause.

At its height, nine fire engines, the hydraulic platform and a commanding unit were at the scene. This was later scaled down to three appliances.

A spokeswoman for Cleveland Fire Brigade said firefighters broke the scene down into three sections and fought them simultaneously.

At the scene, crew members could be seen tackling the blaze from above using a hydraulic platform.

Several units were on the scene. The ambulance service and Cleveland Police were also in attendance.

After the scale down, a digger was brought to the site to remove the roof of the burnt out building to allow firefighters to gain better access.

They then carried on dampening down the area.

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Fire crews tackle Tall Trees blaze in Yarm

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The parts of the complex affected are the former Macmillans nightclub and a connecting building, where the fire is believed to have started, both have been destroyed.

Andy Breeze, Cleveland Fire Brigade watch manager, said: “By 4.50pm all the fires had been extinguished but the bar and nightclub section had been completely destroyed by fire.

“The cause of the fire is under investigation by ourselves and the police.”

Tall Trees, on Worsall Road, is currently derelict.

Some demolition work has been carried out on the site, with the former Club M having been brought to the ground last year.

The work is to make way for 330 new homes, which were put forward by owner Javed Majid and given the green light in February this year.

A spokesman for Tall Trees said: “We would like to thank the fire brigade for their prompt and efficient response.

“We will be assessing the situation, but at the moment it is too early to say how this may affect our plans.”