BBC News, West Midlands
A devastating explosion that exploded through a historic former hotel in the Droitwich Spa, says a fire service, a fire service.
The fire began at around 16:45 BST in the 16th century on Sunday, Grade II listed the Reven Hotel at St. Andrews Street, which closed as a hotel over a decade ago.
A spokesperson of the West Mercia Police said that no injuries were not hurt and believes that the fire started intentionally.
Two girls aged 13 and 14 were arrested on suspicion of arson and since then released on bail, they said.
The spokesperson said, “Officers stay at the scene, and we ask that the public stays away from the area at this time.”
Hearford and Warster Fire Service said that eight fire engines were sent into fire and remained to reduce the hotspot on two Mondays.,
“We can confirm that there were no casualties, and an expert fire investigating officer West Mercia police associates,” said Seva said in a statement. However, the fire has completely destroyed the building. “
Green councilor for Droitwich, Neil Franks stated that it was “heartbreaking to see”, and locals gathered outside, whatever happened, crying something on it.
Franks told the BBC Hearford and Warsster: “It was very difficult to see a little collapsing, looking at the bit, and it was very difficult to see on the streets and on social media as well.
“Reven was very important to the city, and it is really heartbreaking.”
“The city is angry – angry with the developer, whatever is caused by the actual fire, and they are angry at the council … I am not a part of the ruling party, but I think there are questions asked to be honest.”
He said that there were “many broken promises” by the developer, Live Urban Two.
“Whatever progresses needs to be a community -led,” he told the BBC.
“I am just hoping that the Reven sign will survive; we can catch it before demolishing the building as the most likely, so we can restore it and hopefully control the area and put something in its place … and perhaps we can attach Reven Sine as bare minimum.”
“Everyone said that this is going to happen, everyone.”
A spokesman for a Vichawon Zilla Parishad said that he shared the disturbing and anger of the community and understood the “spirit and affection of affection” for its importance for the historic building and the city.
The authority said that it was working hard in the last six months to ensure that immediate work to protect the building, it was late in 2024 as per the order of a court.
“These works were about to end this week and we will still challan the owner for payment,” said a spokesman.
“We are working closely with fire service service and our building control officer was going to the site this morning to review the next phase building.
“We will release another statement very soon, once we will have an update about the state and security of the structure.”
The BBC has been unable to contact live urban to for reaction.
Zilla Parishad leader, Richard Morris, said he was fighting for more with the building.
“One of the reasons I tried to handle Wichawon’s leadership in May and more action to get a solution on it,” he said.
The council was working in the building after the developers missed the court deadline for immediate repair.
He said, “We were almost a week away – this is part of the tragedy – then we must have invoiced the owners, and they had 21 days to pay,” he told the BBC.
He said that the owners were internationally based, but spoke to his spokesperson, who believed that he would visit the site on Tuesday.
“He has been pressurized by himself and my colleagues,” he said.
“I am afraid that there is no hope for this. I am afraid that it is lost.”
A complex history
The hotel has a complex history. In 2022, plans were approved Turn the hotel into 48 homes and flatsIncluding the development of brine bathing, which was closed in a separate building in 2009.
In July 2024, the developer was warned Immediate steps were required to protect the building Or it will face legal action. The work was to be done within seven days.
The council said that it wanted to see damage to roof repair and safety fences. The public had expressed concern over the vandalism on the site, reporting that the thieves had removed the roof tiles and highlighted the building.
In mid -August, Work startedAnd the contractors broke the windows, repaired damage to the roof, and blocked the access to prevent the trespasses.
However, in November, the Wichwon District Council received a court order, which gave the owner to complete the work on the building by 8 December.
Live Urban Two was asked to restore the props on the ground floor to prevent further collapse of the first floor.
It followed an incident on 24 September when parts of the guttering fell into the road on the section of the building.
On December 19, the Zilla Parishad said that the developer had Time limit missed to take action,
At that time, Councilor Richard Morris said: “We will ensure that the necessary work is practically possible.”
“We have also asked the authorities to find out all available options to protect the future of the building.”
