TODAY marks nine years since the fire which levelled the iconic Mr Smith’s nightclub.
A blaze took hold of the Bridge Foot site in the early hours of April 14 and quickly ripped through the former ABC and Ritz cinema.
Around 50 firefighters battled the flames, which reached heights of up to 20ft, but to no avail.
To this date, the cause of the fire remains surrounded by mystery.
Four teenagers had been charged with arson and were due to stand trial in 2016, but proceedings were later dropped following a ‘full evidential review’ by police and the Crown Prosecution Service.
Preliminary court hearings had been told that one of the youths had set paper documents on fire with a lighter inside before the flames spread rapidly.
At the same time, a homeless man had been taking shelter elsewhere in the vacant unit.
An investigation into the incident had been closed by the first anniversary of the blaze.
Having been empty at the time, the art deco building was set to be converted into a new home for the Warrington Youth Zone.
The fire and subsequent demolition of the put a halt to these plans.
The zone was instead built on land at Winwick Street.
Meanwhile, the Mr Smith's site is now being used as a car park – although plans could see housing built on the plot in the future.
A hotel has also been discussed.
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