Arson inquiry at derelict Grange Hotel in Rhyl
An investigation is under way after an arson attack at a derelict seafront hotel which was gutted by fire four years ago.
It took four fire crews more than an hour to control the blaze at the Grade II-listed former Grange Hotel at Rhyl, Denbighshire, early on Friday.
The disused 29-bedroom hotel, built in the 1900s, was damaged by fire in 2008.
A development company has been given permission to demolish part of the building to build 20 apartments.
North Wales Fire and Rescue Service are investigating the latest fire after the alarm was raised at about 05:15 BST.
Midlands-based Japa Developments is hoping the Welsh government will provide heritage funding to help kick-start a £2.5m scheme to restore the east wing of the hotel and convert it into seven apartments.
A further 13 apartments would form part of the second phase of the scheme, which would involve demolishing the west wing. A restaurant, function room and other leisure facilities could also be built.
John Horden from Rhyl-based JPH Architects has been involved in drawing up the plans.
He said part of the hotel had been demolished after the 2008 fire and the building had been made safe. But there had been a series of break-ins in recent months.
"We'll have to assess the damage and take stock and see how we can progress things," he said.