A fire at the disused Buffalo Joes building in Gateshead is being treated as a suspected arson attack by Northumbria Police. The building, which has been empty for a number of years, was one of the places to go on a night out or go partying in the North East for a number of years.
Former Newcastle owner Mike Ashley was even a fan. The property caught fire shortly before 1pm on New Year’s Eve, and the incident is being treated as suspected arson. Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service attended the blaze and extinguished the flames.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Northumbria Police said: “Just before 1pm today (Tuesday), we received a report of a fire at a disused building in the area of Pipewellgate in Gateshead.
“Emergency services attended and the fire was extinguished a short time later. No one is reported to have been injured in the incident.
Buffalo Joes in Gateshead
(Image: ChronicleLive)
“Enquiries are ongoing and the cause of the fire is being treated as suspected arson.
“Witnesses or anyone with information should send us a direct message on social media, use the live chat function on the Force website or go to https://www.northumbria.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/
“For those unable to contact us via those ways, call 101. Please quote the reference number NP-20241231-0403.”
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service have also been approached for comment.
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