Staff devastated after Citizens Advice set on fire

Staff working at a branch of Citizens Advice have been left devastated after their place of work was set on fire during riots.

Branch manager Denise Irving said before the disorder broke out in Sunderland on Friday she had asked "a lot of people in crisis" to come back on Monday for support.

Those urgent appointments have now been delayed until the office can be refurbished.

"We have been trying to furiously get something sorted out so we can be able to advise people," she said.

Ms Irving said she was told the office's windows had been smashed at about 21:15 BST on Friday.

She then began calling for quotes to have the windows boarded up, but was told workmen would not enter Sunderland during the disorder.

She was later informed the building had been set on fire.

The Citizens Advice team arrived at work on Monday morning hoping to clear up the wreckage, but were unable to enter the building as it was crime scene.

"Everyone just wanted to get down and get it cleaned so we were good to go for Monday morning," said Ms Irving.

"Clearly, it wasn't that easy. Everyone is just devastated and taken aback."

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service was forced to cut open the office's shutters because smoke could be seen billowing from the building.

Most of the damage was concentrated on the front reception area, Ms Irving said.

Broken glass was scattered throughout the building, which had also suffered smoke damage.

The team hope the office will be able to reopen later this week.

Staff have managed to get the telephone lines up and running and they have a small presence at Sunderland City Hall to help people.

"We were obviously devastated when we saw it go up in flames but actually when I got here on Saturday I saw the true community spirit of Sunderland," Ms Irving said.

"People were out and about cleaning up, giving people support and making offers of help.

"For us it's all about getting back to where we were so we can be here to help the people who need us the most."

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