Cambridge University Arms blaze blamed on air conditioner

More than 60 firefighters tackled Tuesday's blaze at the University Arms Hotel

The fire engulfed the top floor of the hotel which quickly spread to the roof

About 150 guests were escorted out of the hotel, but no-one was injured

An investigation concluded the fire was started by a faulty air conditioning unit

A blaze at a hotel in the centre of Cambridge was most likely caused by a faulty air conditioning unit, an investigation has concluded.

The fire broke out on the top floor of the University Arms Hotel near Parker's Piece in the early hours of Tuesday. All guests were safely evacuated.

A two-day investigation by Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service concluded the cause was accidental.

The hotel has reopened and a spokesman said it was "business as normal".

At the height of the blaze 11 crews from Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and Suffolk were involved in tackling the fire.

Following the investigation, station commander Paul Clarke said: "Fire service investigators worked with an external forensic investigator and after two days of thorough examination of the scene, the most likely cause of the fire is a fault in an air conditioning unit, located in the room where the fire started."

The hotel owners have yet to comment.