A FIRE scorched a former pub in Abingdon last night in a suspected arson attack.

Firefighters hosed down flames at the former Saxton Arms building after being called out at about 8pm.

No-one was inside the building in Saxton Road at the time, and three fire crews plus a specialist team were able to prevent it from spreading. 

Lucy Billen, a spokeswoman for Thames Valley Police, confirmed that officers are investigating a suspected arson attack but said no arrests have been made yet.

Adam Cook, incident commander and crew manager at Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "The initial crews worked extremely hard to bring the fire under control and without their early intervention the fire would have engulfed the whole building.

"I would like to ask owners of unoccupied buildings to ensure they are secured to prevent unauthorised access”.

Anyone with information can call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.