Eight fire crews were last night battling a blaze at the derelict Masons pub in Ipswich.

Ipswich Star: Eight pumps were dispatched to the scene of a fire at the former Freemasons pub in Victoria Street, Ipswich, last nightEight pumps were dispatched to the scene of a fire at the former Freemasons pub in Victoria Street, Ipswich, last night (Image: Archant)

Eight fire crews from Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service were sent to the derelict Masons pub in Victoria Street at just after 8.30pm with black smoke billowing from the building.

The blaze comes Less than two months after a fire at the building was put down as suspected arson.

Three appliances from Princes Street, two from Ipswich East, two from Woodbridge and one from Holbrook were sent to the scene.

Firefighters used an aerial ladder platform to remove roof tiles and damp down the fire which was on the first floor and in the roof space. It is understood firefighters had to fight the flames from the roof after the building’s stairs collapsed.

A Suffolk Fire Service spokesman confirmed a search of the building was carried out by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus, but no-one was found inside. The spokesman added that investigations into the cause of the fire were continuing.