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Refurbished historic inn gutted by fire

News imageBBC A white walled building badly damaged by fire with the roof collapsedBBC
The historic hotel was completely gutted by the fire

A historic inn in Fife which had recently been refurbished by its new owners has been gutted by fire.

Firefighters worked through the night after being called to St Michael's Inn in Leuchars about 22:11 on Tuesday.

Crews have been dampening down the building and tackling areas which were still smouldering throughout Wednesday.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) spokesperson said: "The incident has currently been scaled back to two fire appliances and one high reach vehicle, and firefighting crews will remain on scene for some time yet."

An investigation into the cause of this blaze is under way but Police Scotland said the fire was not being treated as suspicious.

Roads around the hotel remained closed and traffic was being diverted through Cupar.

News imageFirefighters use an aerial platform to damp down a fire-damaged building labelled St Michaels Hotel, with part of the roof collapsed, hoses and a cordon in place, and a Scottish Fire and Rescue Service van in the foreground.
Firefighters worked through the night to get the blaze under control

The 17th century building reopened as a hotel in February after a £100,000 refurbishment.

Owner Graham Bradley was alerted to the fire and rushed to the scene, where he was told that one of the guests had tried to put the fire out.

He said: "He tried to knock the door in and got the fire extinguisher and tried to put it out but didn't manage.

"It was devastating to watch the building burn down, it was a beautiful, beautiful building built in the 17th century, it's irreplaceable."

At the height of the blaze nine fire appliances and four specialist resources were at the scene dealing with the "well developed" blaze, SFRS said.

Jim Sneddon, who lives just metres away, said he and his wife had first heard a loud bang.

"Our next-door neighbour came and said 'you better get up, the St Michael's Inn is gutted'.

"This was at midnight - and sure enough flames were leaping through the roof. Unbelievable."

Five guests were staying at the hotel but no one was injured.

Tom Robson, who lives nearby, said he had been there for dinner just a few days before the fire.

"I don't think it's recoverable now," he said.

"A building that has been there 300 years - ruined.

"And it's a real shame because they seemed to be doing quite well, there was a lot of customers coming through."

News imageFife Jammer Locations Firefighters tackle a large blaze engulfing the roof of a building at night, with flames and thick smoke rising as a fire engine’s ladder sprays water from above. A police officer and emergency responders stand in the foreground near cordons and road signs.Fife Jammer Locations
At the height of the blaze nine fire appliances and four specialist resources were at the scene

Motorists faced disruption on Wednesday morning due to the fire.

In a post on social media the council said: "Major disruption to roads in North East Fife, towards Dundee, due to fire at St Michaels Inn."

The roads affected were the A914 Dairsie to St Michaels, A919 Leuchars to St Michaels, B945 Tayport to St Michaels, C12 between A92 and A914 from Forgan Roundabout to St Michaels.

News imageJim Sneddon Firefighters use an extended aerial platform to spray water onto the roof of a damaged building in daylight, with a fire investigation van, fire engine and cordon visible outside the property.Jim Sneddon
Crews have been damping down the fire throughout Wednesday

Children were also delayed in getting to school on Wednesday morning.

Councillor Louise Kennedy-Dalby said school buses were running but travelling would "likely take longer" because of following a diversion.

She said "I know that's a worry with exams being on and everyone is doing everything they can to get them there as soon as they can.

"The school is aware of the situation so will understand anyone running late for an exam."