Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service
Firefighters tackling blaze at crumbling Stoke-on-Trent pottery factory targeted by arsonists and thieves
An investigation into what sparked the blaze is due to get underway
Hayley Parker
Firefighters are tackling a blaze next to Price and Kensington in Longport
Firefighters are tackling a blaze next to a crumbling Stoke-on-Trent pottery factory repeatedly targeted by arsonists and thieves.
Crews were called to the grade-II* listed Price and Kensington Teapot Works, in Newcastle Street, Longport , at 11.32am today (December 22).
A large plume of smoke could be seen billowing in the air after rubbish - including tyres and aerosols - inside a shipping container was set alight.
An investigation into what sparked the blaze is due to get underway.
A Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "We were called shortly after 11.30pm to a fire within a shipping container off canal street.
"A large amount of rubbish including tyres and aerosols have been set alight.
"Crews from Burslem remain at the scene."
Firefighters tackling the blaze
The latest fire comes after Stoke-on-Trent City Council prosecuted the owner of the 18th century potbank after it fell into disrepair .
Magistrates found Middlesex-based Charles Lewis and Co guilty of failing to comply with an improvement notice in its absence.
The company was handed a £1,000 fine and was also ordered to pay a £100 victim surcharge and £530 council costs.
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Historic England described the site as 'highly vulnerable'.
Its listing on the at-risk register states: "This site has been subject to fires and heritage crime and is in a poor condition. It is highly vulnerable and continues to deteriorate.
"There has been a structural collapse to the road frontage which has been temporarily addressed.
The fire started in a shipping container next to the factory
"Historic England has offered technical support and advice to Stoke-on-Trent City Council. Urgent works are required to stabilise the buildings while a long-term solution is found for the site."
Councillor Dan Jellyman, the city council's cabinet member for heritage, has welcomed the prosecution last October.
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He said: "The council is committed to protecting our city's heritage and it is with deep regret that the Price Kensington site has fallen into this condition.
"We have been urging the owner for some time to complete works to the building but unfortunately nothing has been done, which left us in a position where we have had to take legal action as a last resort.
"We will continue to pursue the owner in respect of the poor condition and appearance of the building."
Part of Kensington Teapot Works is at risk of collapse
Longport