MORE than 30 people were evacuated from a community centre this evening - after a fire broke out in the loft space.

Two police officers were attending the community meeting at St Aiden's Community Centre, Princes Road, Brunton Park, Newcastle, shortly after 7pm when they noticed smoke appearing from the ceiling inside.

The officers then helped evacuate all those inside and called the fire brigade and extinguished the blaze, which had broken out in the roof of the building.

Princes Road was closed for an hour as a result.

An investigation found that the fire began in a locked boiler room and arson has been ruled out.