EMPIRE HOTEL FIRE

There’s been yet another suspicious fire inside the derelict Empire Hotel on Newcastle’s Hunter Street. While little damage was caused to the building, Newcastle City Council says it will ramp up efforts to get it demolished.

Almost every window bears scorch marks, testament to the number of fires ignited by squatters. Newcastle City Council today renewed calls for the Empire Hotel’s owner to finally tear it down.

“It’s had two approvals, and the last one they pleaded with us to get it done as quickly as possible so that they could arrange their finances, so it could get on with demolition and on with the job,” said Lord Mayor John Tate.

Council gave that approval two months ago.

“It is frustrating when people say yes we’ll get on, we’ll get it demolished and then they don’t,” said Mr Tate.

Last night another fire ignited inside the building. The Lord Mayor is calling for a decision by the Land and Environment court against the building’s owner… The case has been running since August last year.