Sunderland bar facing legal action over Newcastle shirt burning

A bar which allowed a football shirt to be burnt on the premises as fans whipped up a frenzy is facing legal action.

The incident in Idols Bar in Sunderland saw two bikini-clad girls hold up a Newcastle United shirt as it burnt to a cinder on bank holiday monday (August 28).

However, the premises were caught out by the authorities when a member of the public put the incident on video website www.youtube.com after filming it on their mobile phone.

Tyne and Wear Fire Brigade says it is considering taking action over the incident which it has seen on the website. It is running an awareness campaign for pubs in the area to warn them of the dangers.

Assistant chief fire officer David Simpson said: "That sort of behaviour is irresponsible and it worries us this sort of thing could be widespread. It was a stupid mistake that could have had disastrous consequences."

Chris Oldham, brand director for Idol bar owners J.I. Entertainment, claimed it was an isolated incidence and the perpetrators would be dealt with.

He said: "We thoroughly regret the incident that occurred in one of our venues recently. We have invested heavily and worked hard to transform the profile of Idols as a venue. In view of this, for what was an isolated incident to have caused such headlines is both very frustrating and embarrassing to us.

"We fully accept that this was a distasteful, dangerous, and wholly unnecessary part of a venue that has come to be known as a place for fun and frivolity but not stupidity. We would like to apologise unreservedly to the licensing and fire authorities with whom we have a good relationship."