Arson suspected at historic brewery fire

Fire officials are treating a blaze at a disused brewery in Cornwall as arson.

On Saturday night four crews were called to the Old Brewery in Redruth to find the historic building, which dates back to the 18th Century, burning. Fire crews from Redruth, Camborne and Truro attended the scene along with the water carrier vehicle from Helston.

A fire service spokeswoman said: “Upon arrival the crews found the fire to have broken through the roof. Arson was suspected and police are now dealing with the case.”

It is not the first time an arson attack investigation has been launched at the site.

In 2007, the former brewery was left gutted following a major fire. And crews have also tackled blazes there in 2010 and 2011.

Earlier this year the building looked to have a brighter future after £9.8 million plans to transform it into an archive and record centre won the backing of the Heritage Lottery Fund.