VIDEO: Investigation after blaze at miners' welfare building in Annesley

Firefighters from Ashfield, Hucknall, Mansfield and Highfield dealt with the blaze on Derby Road on the evening on Tuesday, May 17.

Ashfield crew confirmed the aerial ladder platform was in use and two breathing apparatus as well as two hoses were used to put out the fire which was in both the roof and main building of the property.

A resident, who has lived facing the building for 47 years, said she couldn’t even see the bottom of her garden because of the smoke.

She said: “All we could see was thick, black smoke at first.

“It wasn’t until later that we saw the flames when the smoke had cleared a bit.

“There weren’t a lot of flames, it was mainly a lot of smoke.

“The firefighters were fantastic - they had a big ladder on top of the roof to put it out.

“It’s terrible what has happened.

“It’s gutting to see the building like that.”

Debbie Wright, who also lives facing the building, was one of the many residents who called emergency services when she saw the smoke and flames from across the road.

She said: “I could see flames coming out from across the street.

“But it started raining and the smoke was getting worse as more time went on.

“The flames weren’t overwhelming, it was the smoke that was much worse.

“I think it’s sad for the club though, I have had some good times in there.”

Residents and passers-by also took to the streets to watch the firefighters tackle the blaze.

Police were also at the scene helping to redirect traffic as the road was closed off.

Crews returned to the scene at around 9am this morning (May 18) to check the building to make sure the scene is safe and to close the incident off.

Investigators are now at the scene.

Updates to follow.