Fire services are investigating the cause of a huge fire at a derelict hotel and bar in County Durham, which broke out on Sunday night (13^th September).

The fire at the Harbour View Hotel, Seaham, started shortly after 10pm. A family in a flat next door were woken and forced to flee as smoke came through the walls.

Properties and homeowners in the immediate area were quickly evacuated to safety as the back of the three storey building collapsed and fire crews battled to stop it spreading.

Inspector Jason Meecham of Durham Constabulary said: “Due to the intensity of the fire, the building has partially collapsed onto the pavement and road."

At its height, more than 40 firefighters fought to control the blaze.

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service group manager Andy Bruce said: “Emergency services were alerted to the blaze at 10.20pm last night (Sunday).

“There were seven fire appliances at the scene, as well as two aerial ladder platforms – one of which was from the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service.”

Mr Bruce said the building had been completely gutted by the fire.

Original sources

The Northern Echo

bbc.co.uk

The Sunderland Echo