Roof collapses in derelict Shropshire hotel blaze

A fire has caused extensive damage to a derelict hotel in Shropshire. The alarm was raised after smoke was seen more than a mile away pouring from the former Mill hotel and restaurant in Alveley, near Bridgnorth.

Most of the building's roof has collapsed, while the rest of the three-storey building has suffered widespread damage. Eight fire engines from Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service and the police attended the incident.

The 41-bedroom hotel, which had held four AA stars and is built around a 17th century watermill, closed suddenly in September 2014. Staff were left with unpaid salaries and many couples were out of pocket after losing deposits from wedding bookings.

Its owner, Elysian Hotels, was the subject of a winding-up petition issued by HMRC in January. A sister company, Eysian Care, went into administration last year with the closure of two care hotels in the West Midlands.

A investigation has now began into the cause of the blaze.