Police open investigation following fire at historic Derby restaurant

A woman was injured in the blaze at the former La Gondola eatery

Author: Rory GannonPublished 26th Aug 2024

Police in Derby have launched an investigation together with fire and rescue services following a blaze at a historic restaurant.

Officers were first alerted to a fire that had taken hold at the former Hotel Ristorante La Gondola just after 7pm on Sunday evening (August 25th).

When responders arrived on the scene at Osmaston Road, they found a large blaze and called on the Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service to help extinguish the flames.

On Monday (August 26th), officers confirmed that fire and rescue service personnel were still at the scene during the morning, continuing to put out smoulders.

A woman was found at the building when responders arrived at the scene - who has now been taken to hospital for her injuries, which are not believed to be life-threatening.

With the fire mostly supressed, investigations are now underway to determine the cause of the blaze, with A514 on Osmaston Road being closed in both directions at the junction of both Douglas Street and Reginald Street.

As well as these, other nearby roads such as Bateman Street and Grange Street also remain closed at present.

Enquiries into the cause of the fire are ongoing, and investigators are now keen to speak to anyone who may have been in the area at the time of the incident.

Anyone who may have been in the locality when the fire first took hold is being particularly urged to come forward.

Those who have any relevant information can get in touch with Derbyshire Police by calling 101 and quoting incident reference number 24000508284.

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