FIRE investigators are looking into the cause of a blaze that badly damaged an empty public house.

Forty firefighters were called to deal with the fire that ripped through The South Moor, Park Road South, South Moor, Stanley, early on Saturday morning.

It took more than three-and-a-half-hours to bring under control and caused extensive damage to the three-storey building.

The alarm was raised just after midnight when people walking past the former pub saw smoke.

Two crews were despatched and when they arrived the building was well alight and a further appliance was requested.

A further three fire engines were sent to the blaze, taking the total to six, along with the Durham brigade's aerial ladder platform as the fire broke through the roof.

Fireinvestigation specialists are looking for clues to the cause of the blaze. The pub is thought to have been empty for some time.