The cause of a fire that destroyed a derelict three-storey building on Stafford Street in Stoke-on-Trent city centre remains inconclusive, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed.
The blaze broke out at 00:40 BST on 9 July. Dozens of firefighters attended the scene, with about 40 personnel working to prevent the fire spreading to other premises.
The fire affected the first and second floors of the building as well as the loft space. Roof tiles had to be removed to enable firefighters to tackle the blaze.
Investigation Hampered by Safety Concerns
A full inspection of the building remains unsafe due to concerns about its structural integrity, the fire service said. This has prevented inspectors from determining how the fire started.
Surrounding roads in Hanley were closed as a result of the fire. On 10 July, crews confirmed the fire had been extinguished but remained at the scene to dampen down hot spots.