Fire which started at Stockton Ladbrokes and spread to social club being treated as suspicious

The steward of a social club has told how he woke up to find a fire raging outside a betting shop attached to the club.

A police investigation was launched after firefighters were called just after 1.30am today to a blaze at Ladbrokes on Harrowgate Lane in Stockton.

Club steward Tony Stephenson, who lives at the rear of Hardwick Social Club which is attached to the betting shop, said he was woken up by the sound of the fire alarms activating at about 1.30am.

“It showed as detecting in three areas in the building,” he said. “I went into the club to have a look and when I went into the concert room I could smell smoke straight away.

“As soon as I turned the lights on there was a banging on the window from outside. I opened the door to go outside and these two lads, who had banged on the window, told me there was a fire next door at the betting shop. One of them phoned the fire brigade.

“You couldn’t see inside the main entrance where the toilets are. The smoke was that thick.”

Three fire crews attended the incident including two from Stockton and one from Middlesbrough.

It is believed that the fire was initially started in the doorway of Ladbrokes betting shop the shop before spreading to the club.

Mick Ireland, watch manager at Stockton Fire Station said there was significant fire damage to the betting shop front and severe smoke damage to the club and club toilets.

He said: “The fire had started just outside of Ladbrokes and had spread inside. It was well alight when we arrived and had spread to the roof area.

“The landlord of the social club was at the scene but appeared to be unharmed.”

Police attended the scene and began making inquiries into the cause of the fire.

Assessing the damage, Mr Stephenson said: “The fire brigade were here as quick as can be expected. They were here a good hour because they were worried that it could have spread further into the roof void. Thankfully it hadn’t - it could have been a lot worse.

“We can’t say how much damage there is yet or what it will cost. The disabled toilets are shot and there’s a big clean up needed in the foyer.

“A lot of smoke has come through the disabled toilets - they’re basically ruined. The bingo selling room is also smoke damaged.”

Scene of crime officers and Cleveland Fire Brigade launched an investigation and are treating the fire as suspicious.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101.