Fire investigation as overnight blaze leaves pub in ruins

An investigation has started after fire ripped through a derelict pub near Kempston in Bedfordshire and left it in ruins.

Firefighters were called the Brickmakers' Arms on Woburn Road in the early hours of Monday morning.

The disused pub is on the old A421 road to the M1.

The fire was tackled by three fire engines and crews from Kempston and Ampthill using breathing apparatus and two hose jets.

They were supported by the Bedford Aerial Platform and the Kempston Water Carrier.

Firefighters fought the fire for several hours, getting it under control by 2am and extinguishing it by 2.30am.

There were no casualties but the building was 90% destroyed by fire.

Firefighters visited the site at 4.40am to check for hotspots and will re-visit the scene again on Monday morning to check again that the fire is completely extinguished.

A fire investigation is underway.