MORE than a hundred firefighters succeeded in saving a historic building after a blaze ripped through its east wing - causing major damage.

The fire at the landmark Crathorne Hall Hotel, near Yarm, was prevented from spreading to the main building by 18 fire crews from across the region, many of whom remained at the scene overnight.

Up to 40 staff and guests were evacuated from the hotel and wedding venue shortly after 10am yesterday after the fire began in a roof space. No-one was hurt.

The east wing - which contains the kitchens - suffered major structural damage after most of the roof was destroyed but firefighters managed to contain the flames.

This morning, firemen were still damping down but the operation had been scaled back significantly.

An investigation team is waiting to be given the go-ahead to move in so they can try and ascertain the cause of the fire.

The owner's insurers are also believed to be on site.

Watching the devastating scene yesterday was Lord Crathorne, whose family used to own the hall until 1977, and who still lives nearby.

“It is awful, not something you’d think would happen in 100 years," he said. "But it has been a textbook performance by the fire crews and nothing is more important than making sure that everybody is safe.”

Lord Crathorne, who celebrated his 75th birthday at the hotel last month, added: "I think the damage will be tremendously bad, I’m afraid. It looked absolutely devastating."

A number of couples due to be married or hold their wedding receptions at the hall were last night frantically trying to secure alternative venues, some with just hours to go before their big day.

David Henry, head chef at the nearby Crathorne Arms pub, is due to get married later today (Thursday, October 2) to Kelly and the couple were due to stay at the hotel together with other members of their wedding party.

“It’s sad to see such an iconic building as that up in flames. We got a call from the hotel and the staff were very kind. Luckily we managed to get the bridal suite at Judges Hotel."

Jonathan Cook, 29, of Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, and fiancee Kathryn Plant, 30 of Yarm, were due to have both their wedding ceremony and reception at the hall tomorrow (Friday October 3), having booked the venue last April.

"We've been planning this day for months, so to get news 48 hours before that it wouldn't be happening was devastating," said Miss Plant. "It's all a bit surreal."

Meanwhile Helen Boddy and fiance Scott Healey were last night also searching for another venue for their wedding reception due to have been held on Saturday.

"I've had Crathorne Hall booked for our wedding reception for two-and-a-half years," said Miss Boddy, 26, of Appleton Wiske, near Northallerton. "We looked at loads of venues but we both absolutely loved Crathorne and have been looking forward to it for so long.

"I just felt disbelief, pure shock when I heard about the fire. It feels like a bad dream."

The 26-year-old beautician, who runs The Little Beauty Rooms in Northallerton, has been engaged to Mr Healey, 27, of Hurworth, near Darlington, for three years.

"The show must go on and I now need to get all this sorted," she added. "I have worked too hard to let this ruin my big day."

Hotel guest Richard Hooper, an Essex businessman, was in the building when the alarm sounded shortly after 10am. He praised staff for calmly evacuating the hotel and said: "It was just smoke to start with for the first hour, and then it seemed to get bigger and bigger.

"Then the fire really took hold. It's just really sad to see a lovely old building like this being destroyed."

Douglas Waddell, operations director of owners Handpicked Hotels, was travelling from the Midlands to London when he was told Crathorne Hall was in flames and headed north.

He confirmed that refurbishment work had recently been carried out and that the building was insured, he added: “Buildings can be fixed, people are more important. It is soul-destroying to see this building in this state but, you know what, no-one was hurt, that’s the main thing.”

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue called in colleagues from brigades in neighbouring Cleveland and County Durham to battle the flames.

Their efforts continued all day but began to wind down by early evening. Speaking at 5pm, a spokesman for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said: “The fire in the roof space is now under control. Crews continue to fight the fire and dampen down. The aerial ladder platforms and four main jets are still in use."

HALL HISTORY

CRATHORNE Hall was the largest house to be built in England during the Edwardian era.

Built between 1903 and 1906 and designed by celebrated architect of the day, Ernest George, it had 115 rooms , 45 bedrooms and four bathrooms.

The Dugdale family planned to move in after the 1906 Epsom Derby where their celebrated colt, Picton, was due to run.

There were 26 live-in servants for the Dugdale family who had made their money in the Lancashire cotton mills and bought the estate in 1844 for partridge shooting and trout fishing. The previous owners of the estate had lived in the area for 500 years and taken the name Crathorne in the 14th Century.

Many distinguished guests stayed at the Hall including Prime Ministers Sir Anthony Eden, Harold Macmillan (later earl of Stockton) and Sir Edward Heath. Other visitors have included the Queen Mother and Prince Charles.

After the death of Thomas Dugdale, first Lord Crathorne, in 1977, the house was sold and became a hotel. At one point it was owned by Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group. The four star hotel, whose rooms start from £100 a night, is recognised as being one of the top 200 hotels in the country.