Two arrested after Gloucester warehouse fire

Police are checking whether anyone died in the fire which destroyed a 150-year-old warehouse in Gloucester's dockland at the weekend.

The building was derelict, but homeless people were known to use the building for shelter and there are fears some may possibly have been trapped when the fire broke out.

"We have no information to suggest there are human remains in the building but we are aware the premises was used by some people and therefore it's imperative we do everything we can to establish as firmly as we can that no one was present."

• Two 19 year old men have been arrested and charged with arson

Developers hoping to build flats and a hotel at Baker's Quay in Gloucester say this weekend's fire is a major blow. Rokeby Developments say the wooden beams and cast iron girders of Provender Mill were an important part of its charm but that the weekend's fire makes the restoration job much more difficult.

Structural engineers are now looking at the Victorian structure to see what can be saved. The developers say they are going to try to speed up their planning application so they can buy the site and try to save it. The plan is to build 154 flats, a hotel and shops and restaurants.

Two men from Gloucester have been charged with arson, after a huge fire at a warehouse at the city's docks.

Scott Parker and Martin Rodger, both 19, are appearing at Cheltenham Magistrates Court this morning. Although derelict and empty, plans had been submitted to turn the building near the city's Baker's Quay into apartment blocks. It is reasonably close to the Fanzone, where thousands of fans had gathered to watch the Rugby World Cup match between England and Australia.

More than a hundred firefighters tackled the blaze on Saturday night.

Two 19 year old men have been arrested on suspicion of arson following a huge fire at a warehouse in Gloucester.

The fire happened near the Peel Centre on St Ann Way yesterday evening (Saturday).

The site is close to the Rugby World Cup fanzone where many had gathered to watch last night's England v Australia match.

The two men are currently in custody.