A huge blaze has ripped through a rural hotel near Ludlow causing several hundred thousand pounds of damage in a suspected arson attack.

More than 55 firefighters tackled the fire after it broke out in a two-storey accommodation block at Bringewood Hotel in Burrington at 11pm yesterday.

The fire also caused substantial damage to a dining area.

Police spokesman Pete Butcher today confirmed that no-one was injured in the fire at the 12-bedroom property.

He said: “There was no-one in the hotel at the time because fortunately it is closed on Mondays.”

A spokesman for Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said that the hotel, near Downton-on-the-Rock, was gutted by the blaze.

He said: “When we got there it was going quite well. The back part had gone and the roof was well alight.

“There was not a lot we could do about it because of the nature of the design.”

He said the owners had told them nobody was staying there at the time and the hotel was locked.

Trevor Connolly, for Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue, said six pumping appliances and some special appliances were called to the incident.

He today said: “We have have not put in a stop call yet. Firefighters are continuing to work at the scene.”

Crews from Kingsland, Leintwardine, Leominster, Malvern, Hereford and Stourport have been dealing with the blaze which ripped through the building close to the south Shropshire border. Officers called for back up at about 5am today and crews from Ludlow, Clun, Craven Arms and Shrewsbury also arrived to help deal with the blaze.

Crews also had to get water supplies from other sources.

Mr Butcher also confirmed that police and fire investigators are treating the fire as suspicious and forensic examinations by both services will continue throughout the day.

The Bringewood Hotel, which consisted of renovated Victorian farm buildings, opened in 2006.

Investigators are keen to speak to anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the Burrington area late last night.

Anyone with information on the fire should contact Sergeant Nick Green at Leominster Police Station on 0300 333 3000.