Former pub badly damaged in suspected arson

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said the fire was extinguished at about 03:00 BST

A fire at a boarded up pub is being treated as potential arson, police have said.

Firefighters were called to the former Oxon Priory pub in Shrewsbury at 20:52 BST on Monday.

Large flames could be seen coming from the roof of the building, which permanently closed in July.

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said the fire appeared to have started in the roof, before spreading to the rest of the building, but the cause of the fire has not yet been established.

Fire crews from five different stations were called to the building, which stands at the junction of Welshpool Road and the B4380.

Station Manager Tom Hatfield said he arrived to find flames across the roof and described it as a "significant fire".

He said it took crews six hours to put the fire out, and firefighters remained there overnight to make sure it did not reignite.

Fire investigators were on site on Tuesday he said, looking to find the cause of the fire.

The Greene King pub chain, which owns the Oxon Priory, said: "We are grateful to the fire service for their swift action following a fire that took place at the Oxon Priory last night."

It added: "Thankfully, no one was injured and we are currently assessing the damage to the building."

West Mercia Police said it was also carrying out inquiries and had officers guarding the scene.

"The incident is being treated as potentially arson, and a scene guard is in place as officers work with fire investigators to determine the cause," it said.

It added officers will be carrying out house to house and CCTV enquiries in the local area and urged anyone with information to contact the force.