FIRE investigators are looking into the cause of a blaze that badly damaged an empty pub.
About 40 firefighters were called to The South Moor, Park Road South, South Moor, Stanley, on Saturday morning.
It took more than three-and-a-half-hours to bring under control and caused extensive damage to the three-storey building.
The alarm was raised shortly after midnight when people walking past the former pub saw smoke.
Two crews were sent out and when they arrived the building was well alight and a further appliance was requested.
A further three fire engines were sent to the blaze, along with the Durham brigade's aerial ladder platform as the fire reached the roof.
The pub is believed to have been empty for some time.
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