A 15-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with a fire that destroyed a North East cinema over the weekend, police have confirmed. 

A police investigation alongside Cleveland Fire Brigade is ongoing to establish the cause of the fire at the disused Odeon building on Dent Street around 10:50pm on Saturday 5th October.

A Cleveland Police spokesperson said: "Although at this time deliberate ignition has not been confirmed, police enquiries led to the arrest of the boy on suspicion of arson on Wednesday, October 9. He has since been bailed.(Image: TERRY BLACKBURN)

"The building remains cordoned off due to significant fire damage and road closures remain in place."

The former Odeon cinema was engulfed in flames that tore through the building just before midnight on Saturday (October 5).

Multiple fire engines and the police attended the scene, cordoning the area off as they battled the raging flames into Sunday afternoon (October 6).(Image: TERRY BLACKBURN)

As part of the response, residents on the neighbouring Joicey Street were evacuated and had to take up temporary accommodation. 

Hartlepool Borough Council said the authority is continuing to support the owner of the former Odeon Cinema building following the fire.

A spokesperson for the council said: "The building has been significantly damaged by the fire and earlier this week fencing was erected around the scene to keep the public at a safe distance and protect them from potential falling debris. 

"Structural engineers have now been able to access the scene and have confirmed that the building remains structurally unsafe.(Image: TERRY BLACKBURN)

"As well as assisting with the initial response, the Council has been supporting the owner to secure the required approvals from the local planning authority to carry out works on the building to make it safe.

"The building is Grade-II listed and therefore this may take longer than a normal building to resolve, as statutory regulations mean efforts must be made to preserve as much of the heritage as possible.

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"Whilst the approval is being sought and works are carried out on site, road closures will remain in place in Raby Road, and the end of Young Street and Dent Street. Temporary traffic diversions remain in place. "

Officers from Hartlepool CID are appealing to anyone with information or any footage to contact them on 101, quoting reference number 191629.

Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111. ​