A FORMER DJ said he was 'gutted' the little slice of hope he had for a nightclub to reopen has gone up in smoke.

People of Workington are calling for improvements to be made in the town after the former Fusion nightclub went up in flames.

A blaze ripped through the building on Ladies’ Walk building on Saturday night.

A 28-year-old and 20-year-old from Workington, and 21-year-old from Whitehaven, were arrested on Sunday in relation to the incident, and have since been released on bail as police investigate.

Former resident DJ at Fusion, Lee Mills said he was shocked the club ended in such a way.

He said: “In it’s heyday, it was the best club in Cumbria. People would come from Carlisle and Barrow for a night out.

“I was one of the first resident DJs in 1999 when it opened. It was amazing we had some big names at the time including Tidy Boys and Clubland. I always had a little bit of hope that one day it would reopen.

“That’s never going to happen, its such a sad way for it to end.

“I’ve made all my old pictures public and people have started to reminisce.”

As the fire tore through one of the town’s many empty buildings, Workington town councillor Paul Scott feels more needs to be done to protect the town he loves.

“For some time now Fusion, The Flames bar and the old Opera House have been a magnet for rough sleepers and anti-social behaviour,” Mr Scott, representing St John’s ward, said.

“Local residents and members of the St John’s Ward Residents’ Association have raised this issue many times, and while Allerdale Council has worked hard to improve the area, something more needs to be put in place.”

He continued: “I must commend Cumbria Fire Service for controlling the fire and stopping it spreading to other local properties.

“Ladies’ Walk is one of the oldest streets in Workington, and we should focus on improving standards of these buildings very quickly.”

Workington Cricket Club neighbours the building, and has opened its grounds to residents who temporarily need a place to leave their cars.

Officers are appealing for witnesses and information, and any dashcam footage of the area between 10pm-11.15pm. Anyone with information is asked to call 101 if they haven’t already, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting log 358 of May 30.

Contact police on 101, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.