Devastating fire at historic cinema being treated as suspicious

Investigators have confirmed they are treating a fire at the former Royalty Cinema in Harborne, Birmingham as suspicious. Credit: West Midlands Fire Service

Investigators from West Midlands Fire Service have confirmed they are treating a fire at the former Royalty Cinema in Harborne, Birmingham as suspicious.

More than 50 firefighters tackled a blaze at the empty Art Deco building in the early hours of Wednesday (September 19).

Smoke was seen pouring from the roof of the Grade II listed building, which opened as a cinema in the 1930s.

Images from West Midlands Fire Service have now revealed the extent of the damage.

The Grade II listed building was engulfed in flames. Credit: West Midlands Fire Service

A group campaigning for the "beautiful" building to be renovated said they hoped it could still be saved.

The Royalty Harborne group also thanked West Midlands Fire Service for their hard work.