Police launch investigation into fire at empty pub

A fire broke out at the Talisman pub in Corby, Northamptonshire, on Monday

Police officers have begun an investigation after a "suspicious" fire caused "substantial damage" to a disused pub.

Emergency services were alerted to the fire at the Talisman in Corby, Northamptonshire, shortly before 20:00 BST on Monday.

Northamptonshire Police said no-one was in the empty building and no-one was hurt, but the incident was being treated as "suspicious".

A local councillor had recently warned that the site was a fire risk

"We were called shortly after 19:50 [on Monday] to reports a derelict pub in Boden Close on the Danesholme estate in Corby, was on fire," said a police spokeswoman.

"No-one was inside, and no-one has been arrested.

"However, substantial damage was caused to the roof and inside the premises.

"This fire is being treated as suspicious."

'Fire risk'

Simon Rielly, a Labour member of North Northamptonshire Council, had said in a recent Facebook post that the empty pub was a fire risk.

"The pub is a fire risk and needs immediate attention to get it secured," he had warned.

"It is an attraction to the children.

"Parents can help by telling their children to stay clear before someone gets hurt."

A Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said smoke was "issuing from the two-storey property" when firefighters arrived.

She said the fire was out about two-and-a-half hours after emergency services were called and firefighters "conducted thermal scans" of the building.

She said staff have been trying to "determine a cause of the fire".

The website for the property consultant WTS, indicated that the pub was sold earlier this year for about £225,000.

The two-story detached brick property had been listed for sale at £275,000.

The online sale listing said the Talisman was "situated in the residential suburb of Danesholme, around four miles from the middle of Corby".

"The property is located within Boden Close which comprises of residential dwellings and a fully occupied small retail parade," said the listing.

"The pub benefits from having frontage to Danesholme Park which is a popular public amenity space."