Kettering former Gala Bingo fire being treated as arson after weekend blaze

Firefighters from Northants Fire & Rescue Service and officers from Northants Police were called to the scene on Saturday (March 28) to reports of a fire in Kettering High Street.

Witnesses said they had seen an ‘orange glow’ coming from inside the building at about 8.30pm.

Fire crews from Kettering were joined at the scene by colleagues from Corby and Wellingborough, and Northants Police.

A spokesman for Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) said: “NFRS were called to the disused building in High Street at around 8.30pm and were able to quickly get the fire under control.”

Witnesses said firefighters had to smash their way into the building from the High Street.

A man was seen being led away by police during the incident.

Police officers remained at the scene following the fire.

A spokeswoman for Northants Police said: “At the present time, we are treating this incident as arson and anyone with any information should call us on 101 quoting incident number 26000179267.”

Northamptonshire’s Arson Task Force has called on landlords and property owners to ‘urgently secure vacant and derelict buildings’ amid a recent increase in anti‑social behaviour and deliberate fire‑setting.

The Arson Task Force, a partnership between Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) and Northamptonshire Police, reminded landlords of their legal and moral responsibility to ensure their premises are safe saying unsecured buildings can quickly become magnets for ‘trespassing, vandalism and arson’.

Residents are also encouraged to report concerns about vulnerable properties or suspicious activity, helping emergency services respond before incidents escalate.