A fire at a “very dangerous” derelict hotel is being treated as arson, police say.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said crews from multiple fire stations were called to the blaze in Seaton, Devon, at about 03:13 GMT on Wednesday.

Devon and Cornwall Police urged people not to visit Seaton Heights Hotel, which it said was “now much more dangerous following the structural damage caused by the fire”.

The force said the blaze had a “great effect on the local community” and the financial cost on the tax payer was “well into tens of thousands of pounds”. It has asked witnesses to get in touch.

In a community messaging alert, Sam Bowyer-Thornton, Seaton police constable, said the fire may have started before 03:13.

He said it posed “a large risk to the local residents’ area through both spreading to neighbouring properties and through smoke inhalation”.

He added: “This is a real risk at Seaton Heights with the materials that were used when the site was constructed.

“In addition to this there is a huge drain on resources of emergency services with five pumps, an incident management vehicle and two water bowsers in attendance.

“We are currently treating this as arson and are requesting anyone with information to come forward. You may have seen someone fleeing the area or hanging around suspiciously.”