A working men’s club that was featured in British comedy classic, ‘The Full Monty’ was engulfed in a fiery blaze in an arson attack.
Emergency services raced to Shiregreen Working Men’s club in Sheffield, South Yorkshire at around 7.20pm on Tuesday following reports of a fire.
A probe has since been launched into the incident as South Yorkshire Police believe the fire was started deliberately. Enquiries remain ongoing.
The famous club, which was captured by the inferno, first opened its doors over a century ago and was a popular haunt among locals.
But it was after starring in the 1997 hit-film The Full Monty, when the venue captured international recognition.
The movie follows the story of six unemployed steel workers who decide to form a male striptease act in an attempt to change their fortunes.
It was the highest-grossed film in the UK until it was outsold by Titanic, whilst also bagging a BAFTA Award and European Film Award for Best Film and was nominated for several Academy Awards.
Following the film’s release, fans across the globe would visit the working men’s club on Shiregreen Lane to see the popular venue for themselves and to take photographs.
Shiregreen Working Men’s Club closed its doors for the final time in 2019.
On Tuesday, locals described smoke pouring from the roof of the building on Tuesday adding that police have been called to the scene a couple of times in recent weeks.
A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: ‘South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue made us aware of a fire at a property on Shiregreen Lane, in Sheffield.
‘It is believed the fire was started deliberately. An investigation has been launched and enquiries are ongoing.’
A South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue spokesperson said: ‘Fire crews from Elm Lane, Central, Parkway and Rivelin stations were called out to a deliberate fire at the derelict Shiregreen WMC on Shiregreen Lane, Sheffield at 7.20pm.
‘Firefighters used hose reels to bring the fire under control. There were no reports of any casualties. Crews left the scene at 10:30pm.’
Sheffield City Council rejected an appeal to bulldoze the property and turn it into flats, after more than 1,000 people signed a petition in 2020.
Since, there has been a fire at the site in April 2023 and more recently in February of this year.
The venue also didn’t appear in the Disney + series of the film, which was released in 2023.
