BREAKING: Sheffield's Gatecrasher One nightclub collapses in massive fire

A popular Gatecrasher One nightclub - formerly The Republic - on 112 Arundel Street in the South Yorkshire district of Sheffield, UK has partly collapsed in a massive fire at round 5pm GMT this afternoon.

BBC reports that emergency crews were called to the venue on Monday evening. Two people were believed to be inside the building when the fire took hold but escaped the premises unharmed after calling emergency.

According to city officials the Arundel Street end of the two-story building later collapsed, narrowly missing firefighters. South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said five crews - about 25 firefighters - were at the scene tackling the blaze at its height.

"It is not a great sight, but from our point of view the main thing is that the building was evacuated," managing director of Gatecrasher, Simon Raine, tells BBC. "There is no injury or loss of life and in these situations that is the key factor."

The statement on the club's official website reads:

It is with great sadness that we have to inform you of some shocking news. At around 5pm this afternoon a serious fire broke out at our flagship venue Gatecrasher One in Sheffield. At this moment in time there is little more to add other than that we will keep you posted

Thankyou for the hundreds of emails and messages of condolence that we've received over the last few hours, there have been many touching testimonies of high times, fun and frolics Gatecrasher One. It is times like these when you the clubber show us how much of an important institution we have created...

Just remember, that which hurts will only make us stronger, and those who know Gatecrasher will be fully aware that the Lion always grows stronger in times of adversity; of course this is saddening news for us all but we are now only thinking of striding forward into a new era of Gatecrasher as we brush ourselves off and stand tall.

As of now all upcoming events at the venue are cancelled until further notice.

Photo by BBC

Photo via SheffieldNights.com

Photo via SheffieldNights.com

Update: More pictures here.