A former Gala Bingo club has been at the centre of an arson attack which saw 20 firefighters battling the blaze for two hours yesterday morning.

The Birmingham based site at Perry Barr had operated as a bingo club for 30 years prior to Gala closing the doors for the final time in August 2009 as the smoking ban took effect. Prior to its days as a bingo club the Grade II listed building had been known as the Clifton Cinema operating since 1938. Watch Commander Tony Ward suggested an arsonist broke into the derelict art deco building and started a fire in the auditorium, setting fire to seats and the stage.

“The fire had been burning for at least an hour before firefighters arrived so there was thick smoke billowing from the building,” added Commander Ward.

“Thick, dense smoke was coming out of the roof and the windows, which made things very difficult.

“We couldn’t see the flames through the thickness of the smoke. “Fire crews had to break down doors to clear the smoke so they could tackle the fire.”

The old seating was destroyed in the fire which saw firefighters in action from 2.50am until 5am.

“It was arson. Someone broke in through the back door before setting the fire,” added Commander Ward.

“It’s such a huge, old building that it was dangerous for the fire crews.”

The landmark building is currently unused but reports suggest there were plans for a chinese buffet restaurant to renovate the interior of the building at the end of 2009.

The local police are now investigating the matter and have appealed for witnesses with any information to come forwards. A spokesperson for the police commented: “Police were called to reports of a fire and are working with the fire service to establish the circumstances.”