A LARGE fire at a derelict community centre in Cradley is believed to have been started deliberately, the fire service has said.

Fire broke out at the old Netherend Neighbourhood Centre building in Mogul Lane just before 4.45pm yesterday (Thursday April 4)

A total of 25 firefighters were deployed to the incident which saw Mogul Lane at the junction of Park Lane closed.

West Midlands Fire Service sent five fire engines and the 4x4 brigade response vehicle to the incident, with the first crews arriving within four minutes.

A hydraulic aerial platform was also drafted in to help fight the fire which affected the roof space of the single-storey derelict community building.

A spokesperson for West Midlands Fire Service said: “Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the fire, accessing it with the hydraulic platform. There were no casualties.

“We revisited the premises twice to check for hotspots and none were found.”

Firefighters eventually left the scene at 8.24pm.

The fire service said it has since been working to identify the cause of the blaze and this afternoon a spokesperson confirmed: "We believe this incident was deliberately caused."

The building was formerly owned by Dudley Council but it is believed to have been sold some months ago.