Arson arrests after fire destroys historic hotel

A devastating blaze that ripped through a historic former hotel in Droitwich Spa has been put out, a fire service says.

The fire started on Sunday at about 16:45 BST at the 16th Century, Grade II listed Raven Hotel, in St Andrews Street, which closed as a hotel more than a decade ago.

A West Mercia Police spokesperson said no-one was hurt and they believed the fire was started deliberately.

Two girls, aged 13 and 14, were arrested on suspicion of arson and have since been released on bail, they added.

"Officers remain at the scene, and we ask that the public stay away from the area at this time," the spokesperson said.

Hereford and Worcester Fire Service said eight fire engines were sent to the fire and two remained on Monday to damp down hotspots.

"We can confirm that there were no casualties, and a specialist fire investigation officer is working with colleagues from West Mercia Police to establish the cause. However, the fire has totally destroyed the building," the service said in a statement.

Green councillor for Droitwich, Neil Franks, said it was "heartbreaking to watch", and locals had gathered outside, some crying over what had happened.

Droitwich councillor, Neil Franks, says people in the town are angry that the blaze happened

Franks told BBC Hereford and Worcester: "Bit by bit seeing it crumbling, going up in ash, and the outpouring of grief on the streets and on social media was very difficult to watch as well.

"The Raven meant so much to the town, and it's truly heartbreaking.

"The town is angry - angry with the developer, angry with whatever caused the actual fire to happen, and they're angry at the council... I'm not part of the ruling party, but I think there are questions to be asked to be honest."

He added that there had been "many broken promises" by the developer, Live Urban Two.

"Whatever happens going forward needs to be community-led," he told the BBC.

"I'm just hoping that the Raven sign survives; we can get hold of it before the building is most likely demolished so we can restore it and hopefully take control of the area and put something up in its stead… and maybe we can attach the raven sign as a bare minimum going forwards."

"Everyone said it was going to happen, everybody."

People gathered on the street on Sunday afternoon as smoke engulfed the hotel

A Wychavon District Council spokesperson said they shared the community's upset and anger and understood the "strength of feeling and affection" for the historic building and the significance it had for the town.

The authority said it had been working hard over the past six months to make sure that urgent works were carried out to protect the building, in line with a court order it secured late in 2024.

"These works were due to finish this week and we will still invoice the owner for payment," a spokesperson said.

"We are working closely with the fire service and our building control officers were visiting the site this morning to review the building and advise of the next steps.

"We will issue a further statement very soon, once we have an update regarding the state and safety of the structure."

The BBC has has been unable to contact Live Urban Two for a response.

Fire services were still on the scene on Monday morning

The leader of the district council, Richard Morris, said he had been fighting for more to be done with the building.

"One reason why I took over the leadership of Wychavon in May was to try and get more action and more work done to get to a solution on it," he said.

The council was undertaking works to the building after the developers missed a court deadline to carry out urgent repairs.

"We were about a week away from that being completed - that's part of the tragedy - then we would've invoiced the owners, and they would've had 21 days to pay up," he told the BBC.

'No hope'

He said the owners were based internationally but had spoken to their spokesperson, who he believed would visit the site on Tuesday.

"The pressure from myself and my colleagues has been there," he added.

"I fear there's no hope for it. I fear it's lost."

The hotel has a complex history. In 2022, plans were approved to convert the hotel into 48 homes and flats, including development of the brine baths, which closed in a separate building in 2009.

In July 2024, the developer was warned that urgent steps were needed to protect the building or it would face legal action. The work had to be carried out within seven days.

Plans were approved to transform the hotel in 2022

The council said it wanted to see damage to the roof repaired and security fencing installed. The public had raised concerns over vandalism at the site, reporting that thieves had removed roof tiles and exposed the building to the elements.

In mid-August, work began, and contractors boarded up smashed windows, repaired damage to the roof, and blocked off access to deter trespassers.

However, in November, Wychavon District Council secured a court order which gave the owner until 8 December to complete work on the building.

Live Urban Two was told to reinstall props on the ground floor of the building to prevent further collapse of the first floor.

It followed an incident on 24 September when parts of the guttering on the section of the building fell into the road.

On 19 December, the district council said the developer had missed the deadline to take action.

At the time, councillor Richard Morris said: "We'll ensure the necessary work is carried out as soon as is practically possible.

"We've also asked officers to explore all available options to safeguard the building's future."