THE Hive will be closed until further notice, after a fire in the kitchen area of the cafe.

Firefighters were forced to break through a a ground floor window to tackle the blaze just before 6.30pm on Thursday evening.

Nobody was in the building at the time, as the library closes at 6pm, and nobody was hurt.

A spokesman from Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said: “Five Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service crews – two from Worcester, two from Malvern and one from Droitwich – were called to a building fire at the Hive in Sawmill Walk, Worcester at 6.24pm on September 3. Alarms were sounding and there was smoke issuing from a fire in the kitchen.

"Forced entry was made through a ground floor window with six firefighters in breathing apparatus and two hosereel jets used. Checks were made to see if the fire had spread to the first floor with positive pressure ventilation used. There were no casualties and no other emergency services were in attendance. Crews left the scene at 10.44pm and the incident was closed at 11.33pm.”

Worcestershire County Council and The University of Worcester issued a statement on Thursday evening informing the public of the fire and asking drivers to avoid Croft Road due to 'disruption' as a result of firefighters at the blaze.

The distinctive building was opened by the Queen in 2012 and was the first integrated public and university library in Europe.