Whitburn Lodge fire: Blaze leads to fresh concerns over future of empty pub
The cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed.
The building has stood empty for a number of years, after closing its doors to pub customers back in 2012.
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Hide AdBefore Christmas, notices went up stating owners intended to demolish the derelict pub, which has been boarded up and has previously been used by criminals as a cannabis farm, but the idea was retracted when South Tyneside Council said planning permission would also be needed.
The Whitburn Neighbourhood Forum hosted a workshop in February to gather ideas on what should happen with the site. But the pub remains boarded up and empty.
Fresh concerns over its future were aired on our Facebook page after the fire on Friday night.
Danielle Currer said: "This pub needs to be made more secure, there are a lot of kids hanging about it with the warmer weather and someone could be seriously hurt."
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Hide AdKayleigh Jane said: "It’s getting serious not just for people’s safety, but the welfare of the horses stables behind it. Pull it down or do something with it."
Paul Wann said "(It) was inevitable, either deliberate or not ."
Rachel Robinson said: "Nicole Coonan - this is the one we always say would be a nice pub
Nicole Coonan replied "Rachel Robinson - it really would be if someone just took it over and restored it. I can imagine it being a proper pub vibe back in the day. It’s a shame."
Paul Watson said: "I only passed it this afternoon very sad someone should of buy it. It would have been a nice restaurant."