Residents forced to flee homes after acid found at blaze scene

Netherthorpe Road was closed in one direction between the university roundabout and Shalesmoor during the morning rush hour, causing long delays for commuters.

People were advised to stay inside with their windows and doors closed due to a thick plume of black smoke which could be seen for miles around.

Firefighters were called to St Phillips Club and Institute in Daisy Walk, off Upper Allen Street, at about 3.30am and began dousing the flames, which were around 40 metres high.

However, crews were forced to retreat five hours later. A spokesman for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said: "Chemicals believed to be hydrochloric acid were discovered within the incident ground just after 8am, prompting the safety warning for local residents.

"Several main jets were in use tackling the fire, which led to the closure of Netherthorpe Road and Upper Allen Street."

Residents of the Atlantic One flats complex on Radford Street were evacuated from their homes and not allowed to return for several hours.

Up to 40 firefighters remained at the scene throughout much of yesterday, dousing the flames with powerful water jets and also using an aerial ladder platform to tackle the fire from above.

An investigation into the cause of the blaze is now under way.