10:29pm Thursday 9th July 2009
Fifty five firefighters from across Oxfordshire were called to tackle a raging blaze at the derelict Fox & Hounds pub on the corner of Abingdon Road, Oxford, tonight.
Oxfordshire fire and rescue received several calls from worried members of the public around 7pm after the pub was seen alight.
It was initially thought squatters were living inside the building.
However, no one was found.
The roof and first floor of the building have been left totally destroyed.
Tonight, a spokesman for Thames Valley Police confirmed a man in his late 50s had been arrested on suspicion of arson and was being held in custody.
Ten firefighters forced their way into the pub, which has been purchased by Tesco and was soon to open soon as a Metro store.
Incident commander, firefighter Pete Cleary, said: "This was a fortunate incident in that there was nobody inside the building.
"Fire crews acted swiftly to extinguish the fire and search the building very quickly.
"Thankfully, there was nobody inside.
"This was a good result - but it could have been a lot worse." Police have closed the junction of Abingdon Road and Weirs Lane and diversions are currently in place.
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