Updated: Fire breaks out at County Hall the home of Nottinghamshire County Council

Fire crews are currently tackling a blaze at the home of Nottinghamshire County Council in West Bridgford.

Footage from the scene shows smoke billowing out of a window at the front of County Hall and rising up the building.

Firefighters had to tackle a blaze across four floors of County Hall which has left the building with 'significant' smoke.

Matt Reavill, group manager at Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, explained how his crew managed to tackle the blaze.

Two fire engines arrived at the scene at 11.30am but due to the size of the building increased the crews to four engines and two aerial ladders.

They are also being supported by Derbyshire and Leicestershire fire services, with 12 engines currently at the scene.

He said: "We believe the fire started on the first floor and spread along the first floor, the second, third and fourth floors.

"I am pleased to report we have got on top of the fire and stopped the fire itself but there is a significant amount of smoke in the building.

"Due to it being an old building, it helped its travel between floors. We are going through a systematic search to make sure there are no other pockets of fire and to stop the smoke spreading.

"We don't believe anyone is in the building but we are treating that with caution and doing a systematic search as we go through the building.

"At this time, we don't know how the fire started but in two hours' time we will be joined by the police and fire investigators to start the investigating phase.

"We are trying to keep Trent Bridge open and are aware of the cricket match. There are no road restrictions."

The fire service is asking people to avoid the area if they can.

The landmark headquarters, built on the banks of the River Trent in the 1930s and opened in 1946, house the council's chamber for meetings alongside services and support offices. It is the oldest and biggest building the council owns.

Leader of the County Council, Ben Bradley, said he was in a council meeting when the fire alarm went off and everyone evacuated the site to the meeting point which is by the River Trent.

"We just saw smoking pouring out of the window," he added. "We followed all the procedures. It does not look good at all for that portion of the building. But the key thing for now is everyone is safe."