Police investigating ‘deliberate’ blaze at Lundin Links Hotel

Building had recently been used by squatters

A Fife hotel which was severely damaged in a weekend fire had recently been used by squatters, it has emerged.

Police say they are following positive lines of inquiry, having launched an investigation into the blaze that ravaged the former Lundin Links Hotel on Saturday.

At one point, eight fire appliances were in attendance at the landmark property, which sits prominently on the main road through the seaside town.

Following the dramatic blaze, which took firefighters four hours to bring under control, police have confirmed the fire was started deliberately and have launched an urgent probe.

Detective Sergeant Paula Warrender said: “We believe this to have been a deliberate act and are following a number of positive lines of inquiry.

“However, we are still keen to hear from anyone with information that can assist us with our investigation into this fire, which has caused a significant amount of damage to a well-loved, listed building.”

The hotel closed its doors in 2014 and the C-listed building was then purchased by developers.

Despite having been surrounded by security fencing, there had been reports of vandalism to parts of the building since it had become vacant.

The blaze is believed to have started on the second floor of the four-storey hotel, shortly before 8pm.

Fire crews from Methil, Glenrothes, Kirkcaldy, Lochgelly and Dunfermline were all scrambled to the scene, with a thorough search concluding that nobody was inside.

Traffic was diverted away from the scene, with the building located just metres away from the busy A915, the main road between the East Neuk and central Fife.

Local shopkeeper Zaphar Iqbal said that squatters had frequented the building recently, with police having been called in the past to remove them from the premises.

“There have been squatters going in here and there,” he said.

“The police have had to go in there and move them on.

“I think the last time was about three or four months ago, though.”

We believe this to have been a deliberate act and are following a number of positive lines of inquiry. DS PAULA WARRENDER

Picture: Steven Brown. Firefighters spent fours hours bringing the fire under control.