An investigation is underway after a historic North Canterbury hotel was destroyed by a fire.
The Waiau Lodge Hotel was damaged during the 2016 North Canterbury earthquake. Photo: RNZ / Maja Burry
Firefighters were called to the blaze at the Waiau Lodge Hotel, built in 1910, at about 12.15 this morning.
A spokesperson said firefighting efforts focused on protecting nearby buildings because the hotel could not be saved.
Four crews and a command unit were called to the scene in the Waiau township.
A fire investigator has been on site this afternoon.
The hotel has been closed since damage in the 2016 North Canterbury earthquake, and no one was in the building.