Fire service confirm derelict hotel was torched by arsonists
A fire at a derelict hotel in March was started by arsonists, investigators have confirmed.
Residents living in the town were told to keep their windows and doors shut as a result of smoke coming from the fire that engulfed the old Station Hotel in Station Road in March, at around 12.45pm on Monday (October 2).
A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service said that around 20 firefighters, including crews from March, Wisbech, Chatteris and Stanground, along with the north roaming fire engine, are attending the incident.
Firefighters arrived to find a fire involving a derelict building near the train station.
Photographs showed flames pouring out of the roof of the old building, while crews tried to tackle the blaze.
Roads around the hotel were closed to traffic to allow fire fighters to work at the scene. The closures were lifted later in the afternoon.
Crews worked through the afternoon to prevent the fire from spreading. The spokesperson said that due to damage caused to the structure of the building, firefighters mainly tackled the fire from the outside.
Regular inspections have been taking place, to ensure that the site is safe.
Now it has been confirmed that the fire was started deliberately, and an appeal for witnesses has been issued.
The spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “The cause of the fire has been determined as deliberate. Anyone with information should contact police by visiting www.cambs.police.uk to submit an online report or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.”