Fire and police investigation under way into blaze at derelict Kettering bingo hall
A joint fire and police investigation is under way into a blaze at derelict Kettering bingo hall that took place yesterday (Sunday, May 17).
Emergency services were called to the former Gala Bingo Hall in High Street just after 6pm to reports of a fire in the derelict cinema complex.
It is believed the fire may have been started deliberately.
A spokesman for Northants Fire and Rescue said: “Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service was called to reports of a fire in a derelict building on High Street in Kettering at around 6.15pm yesterday evening (May 17).
“Crews from Kettering, Rothwell, Burton Latimer and Moulton attended the fire, and wearing breathing apparatus used a hose-reel jet to put it out.
“Cadent and National Grid attended to isolate the gas and electrics.
“By 6:40pm the fire was out, and crews remained on scene dampening down hotspots and using a fan to clear smoke from the building.
“Northamptonshire Police were also in attendance.”
On March 28 this year, firefighters from Northants Fire and Rescue Service attended another fire at the same venue – it had been previously set fire to in November 2025.
Plans had been submitted to North Northants Council to transform the building into 14 apartments.
A spokeswoman for Northants Police said: “We were called to this incident in High Street at about 6pm yesterday when we received a report that a fire had been deliberately started inside the abandoned building.
“Thankfully no one was injured and an investigation into who may have started the fire is ongoing. Anyone with information should call us on 101 quoting incident number 26000285205.
“The fire was believed to have been started deliberately, and a fire investigation is due to take place today.”