The roof of a closed pub in Hitchin has burnt down after a fire during the early hours of this morning.
Two crews from Hitchin and one from Letchworth and Baldock were called at about 12.40am after reports that the roof of The Sailor Boy was alight.
Firefighters searched the Woolgrove Road pub – which is currently closed and has had plans submitted for it to be redeveloped – but nobody was inside.
A Stevenage crew took over at 1.20am as they continued to battle the blaze, which has gutted the pub. After a period of dampening down, the fire was declared out at 3.12am.
A spokesman for the fire service said the incident is being treated as accidental and there will be no fire investigation.
More information on the cause of the fire – which will be a severe blow to campaigners trying to reopen The Sailor Boy – is expected later today.
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