Fire and police officers now believe the fire that destroyed part of the ancient Star Inn was started deliberately.
Senior fire officers called police in yesterday to help them with their investigations.
Today a North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “Following an examination of the scene by police crime scene investigators and fire investigation officers, it is now believed that the fire was started deliberately.”
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A number of groups of people were in the area around the time of the fire, and police are urging anyone with information about the incident to contact them.
The fire began at the Michelin-starred inn in Harome, near Helmsley, just before 10.15pm on Wednesday.
It tore through the thatched roof of the 14th century building and gutted a whole section of the building.
At its peak, 40 firefighters were battling the blaze. It was finally extinguished around 12 hours after first being reported.
Yesterday police placed a cordon around the restaurant as their inquiries continued.
It is the second fire to hit a venue run by acclaimed chef Andrew Pern. Sister restaurant Star Inn The City in York was badly damaged by fire in November 2018.
If you can help police, get in touch on the numbers below.
How to help the police
- Call North Yorkshire Police on 101
- Email Peter Day here
- Contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via the website
- Quote reference number 12210248468