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One of the main commuting routes into the city is currently closed while up to 40 firefighters tackle a "suspicious" blaze at a building that once played host to The Beatles.

Police have closed Kings Heath High Street in both directions from York Road and Silver Street after fire broke out at the Cash Converters store, formely The Ritz venue.

Commuters are being warned to avoid the area and traffic is being diverted down Institute Road.



Officers say Kings Heath High Street is to remain closed for the rest of today.

There are no reports of injuries. Police have said that the cordon will stay in place during the morning rush hour and the cause of the fire is being investigated.



A police spokesman said: "Officers are treating the blaze at Cash Converters on York Road as suspicious. Emergency services were called when the fire started just after 5am today (27 March).

"Nobody has been injured. Officers have closed the High Street between Silver Street and Poplar Road and expect the closure to remain in place for the rest of the day."

National Express West Midlands said its 35 and 50 bus services are also being diverted.





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Linda McCann, 38, who works in the Kitchen Garden Cafe opposite the Cash Converters, said: "It's been going on since 6am. It's absolutely dreadful. It's caved in and looks like it's going to be bad.

"It's a bit of history - I know the building is famous for beilng The Ritz Ballroom where The Beatles played.

"The Walk Of Fame on York Road is right outside."

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Stan Hems, 70, chairman of the Kings Heath Business Association and of John Stans Butchers on the High Street, said: "There were five fire engines at 6am. The front had completely collapsed by then on the pavement. There was a fire engine pumping water into the back and front.

"The roof is totally collapsed. It's the old Ritz Ballroom . It's sad for Kings Heath as on Cash Converters - which has collapsed - there was a plaque for Toyah Willcox."

When The Beatles arrived at The Ritz in Kings Heath 50 years ago they hardly made the most dignified of entrances.

Beatlemania hadn’t yet arrived when the band turned up at the small Birmingham ballroom.

The concert had been booked before the group had really taken off – but by the time of the show the single Please Please Me had just been released.

This meant hordes of girls were now lying in wait at the small venue – so that when they arrived, the band were forced to climb over a fence at the rear to get in.

In fact, legend has it that the four were in fact only three when the numbers were counted after their arrival on February 15, 1963.

It was soon discovered that George Harrison was in the process on being hauled out of a black cab by a mob of screaming girls, after he arrived late.

After the final Beatle had been rescued they were all ready to go on for the delayed show.

The original concert is well-remembered in the area by local people who were present at what was the dawning of the Fab Four’s huge popularity.

Read our story on the Beatles at Kings Heath here - http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/music/gig-remembers-night-50-years-1289969