Huge blaze rips through Liverpool club

Firefighters battled raging flames up to 80ft as a ferocious blaze tore through a disused Liverpool nightclub.

The flaming former Kingsway Club, Southport, was tackled by seven fire engines and two aerial units on Monday night as witnesses looked on in horror.

The fire was brought under control as torrential rain lashed against the alight three-storey building in the early hours of the morning.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said some crews remained at the abandoned nightclub on Tuesday morning.

One resident, who lives nearby, and asked not to be named said he was surprised by the number of people who came to witness the blaze.

He said: "The fire lit up the sky. It was so bright.

"It looked as if it would never die down but fire crews were incredibly brave.

"I couldn't believe the amount of people who were stood watching the flames up close. Everyone was treating it like it was some sort of spectacle."

It is understood that the Kingsway club, built in 1931, played host to one of Ringo Starr's first performances with the Beatles after taking over the sticks from Pete Best in the early 60s.

Although boasting shows from local legend Cilla Black and Welsh maestro Tom Jones, the building fell into disrepair with hopes of opening its doors again dashed as redevelopment plans came to nothing.

Comments about Huge blaze rips through Liverpool club