Blaze at top hotel ‘probably caused by electric fly killer’

Residents and staff were led to safety from the recently refurbished Crathorne Hall Hotel in Yarm, North Yorkshire, after the blaze broke out on October 1.

Eighteen fire engines attended following reports of smoke coming from the roof of the four-star hotel, though the fire was confined to one part of the building.

A statement by North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service today said: “Following investigations into the cause of the fire at Crathorne we consider the most probable cause of the fire to be an electric fly killer/ insectocutor in the roof space of the east wing of the hotel.

“Whilst other possible causes cannot be fully eliminated we are confident that the cause of the fire was accidental.”

The hotel has 37 bedrooms, all of which were recently renovated, according to its website.

Crathorne Hall overlooks the Leven Valley on the edge of the Yorkshire Moors, and is believed to be one of the most recently built country halls in the UK.

Set in 15 acres of private grounds, the hotel has been awarded four Red Stars - placing it among the top 200 hotels in the UK and Ireland.

English actress and singer songwriter Minnie Driver stayed there while filming Who Do You Think You Are for the BBC last year.