A FIRE at a disused Oxfordshire hotel that was due for demolition is being treated as a suspected arson attack.

More than 40 firefighters were called to the Essex House Hotel in Chinnor Road, Thame, at 6.30am today.

When they arrived they found the fire had spread through the first and second floors and into the roof of the detached three-storey building.

Group manager Richard Bowley, the officer in charge, said: "We had to use the hydraulic platform to tackle the fire from above as there was a risk of the building collapsing on top of us.

"Thankfully the property is detached, so the fire didn't affect any other buildings and no one had to be evacuated from their homes."

Mr Bowley said the fire would now be investigated as there were suspicious circumstances surrounding it.

He said: "There were reports of people being seen in the vicinity in the early hours of the morning and we are now working with Thames Valley Police to ascertain the cause."

The hotel had been empty for the past two weeks ahead of its planned demolition to develop the site into houses.

Anyone who might have seen anything or with information is asked to call Thames Valley Police on 08458 505505 or speak anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.