A HUGE fire that destroyed a former hotel in Cliftonville, near Margate, is being treated as arson.

Fire crews were called to the former Warren Court Hotel in Arthur Road shortly after 10.30am yesterday and quickly put out a small blaze.

But just a few hours later, at about, 4pm they were again called to the building - this time to tackle a big blaze that eventually destroyed the site, causing the roof to cave in and sending smoke billowing into the sky.

Crews from Wingham, Deal, Canterbury and Herne Bay joined local Margate, Ramsgate, Thanet and Westgate crews to spray thousands of gallons of water onto the flames.

Police cordoned off the roads leading to the site and tried to move on onlookers as some were getting dangerously close to the three-storey Victorian building.

Crews were still at the site at 9pm last night and the road was closed until early this morning.

Witnesses reported seeing young people going in and out of the building during yesterday morning. The cost of the damage has been estimated as in the thousands.

Anyone with any information is urged to call the CID office at Margate Police Station on 01843 222192.