FIRE crews remain at the scene of a fire that devastated part of a North Yorkshire hotel.
The major fire in the east wing of Crathorne Hall hotel was brought under control yesterday afternoon.
A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said three appliances and an aerial ladder remain on scene. One officer is in attendance.
She said crews would remain on the scene today.
Eighteen fire engines with more than 100 fire fighters were at the scene at the height of the blaze, which broke out at 10am.
Watch manager David Dryburgh, of North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, said crews soon established it was a major incident when they arrived at the scene.
“Nobody has been injured as far as we can ascertain and nobody is missing,” he said.
“We are dealing with serious structural damage. We are still in the dynamic phase of the operation and there will be a lot of work making the place safe.
“Our objective is to stop the fire from spreading from the east wing to the main part of the hotel.”
Guest Richard Hooper, a businessman from Essex, said the firm alarm was sounded shortly after 10am, and the evacuation was carried out in a calm fashion.
"It was just smoke to start with for the first hour, and then it seemed to get bigger and bigger.
"The fire has really taken hold now.
"It's just really sad to see a lovely old building like this being destroyed."
Crews from Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Services and Cleveland Fire Brigade are attending to support the North Yorkshire fire service, along with two aerial ladder platforms and two water bowsers.
A spokeswoman from Hand Picked Hotels, which owns Crathorne Hall Hotel, said: "The fire broke out in a wing of the hotel and has been confined there.
"No-one was hurt and all the staff and guests have been evacuated."
Speaking as the flames took hold, an unnamed senior manager said: "I was here at the time. The staff followed the proceedure completely correctly. We know everybody is out of the building. Apart from that, really you know as much as me.
"All I know is what I can see with my own eyes and it's not good. It's heartbreaking."
Officers at the scene have requested that a high volume pump attends, this will assist with the supply of water to the incident.
Fire crews are continuing to tackle the fire and the aerial ladder platform is in use as a water tower, to spray water on to the roof of the building, from a height.
Lord Crathorne at Crathorne Hall yesterday as firefighters brought the blaze under control
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