Liverpool arts centre damaged by fire after £12.5 million revamp » Local Government » 24dash.com

An arts centre believed to be the oldest in the UK was damaged by fire early today.

More than 30 firefighters tackled the blaze in the west wing of The Bluecoat in School Lane, Liverpool, after they were called at 3.55am.

A spokeswoman for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said it was too early to say what caused the fire.

The damage comes just months after The Bluecoat opened its doors in March, following a £12.5 million redevelopment.

Peter Owens, operational press officer and a Watch Manager for the fire service, said: "The automatic fire alarm worked. When the firefighters arrived, a window popped. The fire was confined to the first-floor kitchen and there is severe smoke damage to the restaurant.

"No-one was injured and no firefighters were injured. Over 30 firefighters were on scene. There was quite a severe fire in the kitchen."

Mr Owens said none of the art galleries or performance rooms at the centre had been affected by the fire but The Bluecoat's chief executive had been "upset" by the damage.

Mr Owens said: "They were upset by the damage. They are keen to keep the place running. They have just got a body of work in front of them."

A spokeswoman for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said: "The fire was in the west wing of the building and involved the kitchen. There was heavy smoke on the first and second floor.

"We have still got crews there damping down. We have got a team investigating what happened but it is too early to say what caused the fire."

The redeveloped centre includes a new arts wing, four new galleries a 200-seat performance space, a new espresso outlet, a bar and restaurant and 26 artist and creative industry studios.

An exhibition called Now Then, featuring work from Yoko Ono, Paul Morrison, Alec Finlay, Hew Locke and Janet Hodgson, marked the re-opening of the building.

A spokesman for The Bluecoat said: "It is the oldest arts centre in the UK and the oldest building in Liverpool city centre."