A fire which damaged 70 per cent of disused The Bridge Hotel is thought to have been started deliberately.
Firefighters managed to prevent it spreading to one end of the building, which is a landmark on the Lincolnshire/Norfolk border at Sutton Bridge.
Three crews from Lincolnshire and three further crews and an aerial ladder platform from Norfolk were called to the scene at 9.25pm on Saturday.
Fire investigation officer Jason Lawley said: “On arrival, firefighters were able to prevent a significant fire from spreading throughout the entire premises, using six main jets to extinguish the fire externally.
“The fire started on the ground floor and spread to the first floor and roof area of the main building. Swift action prevented the fire from entering the third floor end of the building.
“The premises were not secure in a number of places with evidence of illegal entry. The cause is, therefore, thought to be deliberate, subject to an investigation by Lincolnshire Police.”
