Body recovered from scene of Newcastle fire

A body has been recovered from the the site of a huge fire in Newcastle citycentre.

The blaze raged for more than five hours yesterday (December 1) at the Kard Bar on Cross Street while more than 50 firefighters battled to dampen the flames.

It was only this afternoon that the four-storey building was deemedsafe enough to enter and a body was recovered from inside after being found by a police dog.

At one point 11 fire engines were at the scene while concerns grew for aman who was unaccounted for.

The city centre ground to a halt as huge clouds of smoke engulfed thestreets and buildings and police warned commuters to keep their distance.