A former Gala Bingo club has been at the centre of a suspected arson attack this weekend which saw more than 50 firefighters tackling the blaze. The huge fire has destroyed the former bingo club in Birmingham on Saturday and resulted in nearby roads being closed and residential properties evacuated.

Seven flats near to the 1920s building on Kings Heath High Street have been evacuated. The building's roof has also collapsed.

Crews were alerted at about 0630 BST and 55 firefighters have been called to the scene, a spokesman said.

Eyewitness Councillor Tony Kennedy, who lives locally said he was woken up in the morning by the strong smell of smoke.

“I sleep with the window open and was woken up by the smell of smoke,” he told the Sunday Mercury.

“I could hear crackling and thought either my house or the neighbours property was on fire. I looked outside and could see smoke everywhere. I went outside to investigate and the whole area seemed to be engulfed by thick smoke

West Midlands Fire Service said the fire was being treated as suspicious.

Spokesman Roger Moore said: "It would point to the fire as being - what we would call - of doubtful origin until it is confirmed whether it's arson or not."