Clock Hotel Fire Update

12 November 2010, 18:12 | Updated: 15 November 2010, 07:10

Officers investigating Thursday's fire at the disused Clock Hotel in Welwyn think it was started on purpose.

The blaze broke out at around 2.25pm on Thursday. Ten fire engines from across the area were called to the scene - as well as a Control Unit from Hertford and aerial ladder platforms from Stevenage and Watford.

Around 60 firefighters worked to stop the fire spreading. They managed to contain it to the middle, original part of the building - which is where it started - and meant two extensions on either side of the hotel were saved. It also meant the smoke didn't affect to nearby carriageway too much and the A1(M) remained open throughout.

Firefighters finally managed to put the fire out completely by 8.36pm - by which time 40% of the building had been destroyed.

It's thought whoever started the fire set light to storage material which was inside.

The fire investigation dog searched the scene and didn't find any trace of accelerants.

All pictures and videos shown below are taken by Hertfordshire fire and Rescue Service Photographer Jay Hounsell.