Sniffer-dog searching Savoy Court on Southsea seafront

There was 100% fire damage to the building

Fire investigators searching the ruins of a seafront building in Southsea say a sniffer dog has identified an area that requires further examination.

The derelict Savoy Court in South Parade suffered 100% fire damage after being engulfed in flames on Tuesday.

A fire spokesman said it wais thought no-one was inside the building at the time but investigators had been carrying out a study of the wreckage.

About 60 people were evacuated from nearby flats and a hotel.

Up to 80 firefighters tackled the blaze at the Savoy Court in South Parade, Southsea, from 17:35 BST on Tuesday.

The building is unstable so will be demolished, a fire spokeswoman said.

Guests at the Royal Beach Hotel and residents from nearby flats stayed overnight in a rest centre set up at the Holiday Inn by Portsmouth council.

Firefighters remained at the scene overnight and were later replaced by relief crews on Wednesday morning.

A fire service spokeswoman said: "We can't leave the building because it's unstable. We need to demolish it under controlled conditions and crews will remain at the scene until this happens.

Police said the incident was not related to the disorder seen across the country

"It was a large fire on the second, third and fourth floors of the building but crews managed to stop it from spreading to a nearby hotel and residential proprieties."

It is not yet known how the fire started, but an investigation will begin once the building has been demolished, she added.

Portsmouth City Council helped residents and hotel guests find alternative accommodation.

Hampshire Police said there was nothing to suggest the incident was related to the disorder seen across the country.

The building, which had housed a nightclub, is next to the former Savoy Buildings site, which was demolished in 2009.

The Savoy Buildings site is partly owned by former Portsmouth Football Club manager Harry Redknapp.