Police have launched an investigation after a suspected incident of arson at an abandoned pub saw emergency services scrambling to the scene.

On Wednesday, February 28, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Services were called to Stoke Road where the former Royal British Legion pub was ablaze.

Known as The Lady Haig Club, the pub has stood empty since it was shut down in 2011 despite multiple planning applications proposing it be knocked down and replaced with flats

The fire service was first notified of the fire at 11.42am and sent eight fire crews to the scene.

These included Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service Crews from Langley, Slough, Windsor, Ascot, Crowthorne, Newbury and Wokingham Road Fire Stations.

An Incident Command Unit from Maidenhead Fire Station, the Aerial Ladder Platform from Whitley Wood Fire Station and a crew from Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service were also sent to the scene.

A spokesperson from the fire service said: "Upon arrival, crews discovered a fire affecting the ground floor of the building, and two firefighters wearing Breathing Apparatus extinguished the fire using two hose reels and one main jet.

"Crews were initially on the scene for approximately five hours and ten minutes."

Thames Valley Police were called to the fire at midnight and have now launched an investigation into its cause.

A man in his forties has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life. He has been bailed.

A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said: "An investigation into this is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call 101 or make a report online quoting reference 43240089409."