A fire ripped through a North East pub earlier today as smoke could be seen billowing out of the scene for miles around.

The incident happened at around 4pm this afternoon (Sunday, September 11) at the Chilton pub and hotel on Blackboy Road in Houghton-le-Spring

The fire service and police were soon on the scene to tackle the fire as it raged through the pub.

The Northern Echo: Picture: CONNOR LARMANPicture: CONNOR LARMAN (Image: Picture: CONNOR LARMAN)

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The pub and hotel has previously been hit by fire. Earlier this year, it was targeted by suspected arsonists as the main building went up in flames.

It is not certain, however, how today’s fire was started.

The Northern Echo: Picture: CONNOR LARMANPicture: CONNOR LARMAN (Image: Picture: CONNOR LARMAN)

Pictures from the scene show that there was little of the pub left by the time the fire was put out as further flames could be seen leaping up through the smoke.

The Northern Echo contacted County Durham Fire and Rescue Service for a comment on the incident.

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