AN investigation has been launched after an historic building in the grounds of West Midland Safari Park was gutted by fire.

Leading firefighter Gareth Clarke, of Kidderminster Fire Station, said the original part of the 250-year old Spring Grove House was "gutted" in the blaze, which started at about 10pm on Christmas Eve.

He said: "Although the external walls were still standing, the roof, some of the internal walls and floors have all gone.

"It was the entire original building that was damaged.

"The newer extensions, where there were modern fire doors, were almost completely unaffected.

"I understand that a party of just under 130 people were supposed to be having their Christmas dinner there - some staff even turned up for work because they didn't realise there had been a fire.

"One chap I spoke to had been there the day before and spent six hours laying all the tables out and preparing the room for the meal the next day."

Fifty firefighters were called to tackle the blaze, using a hydraulic platform to extinguish the flames.

Crews remained there until about 2pm the following day, but visited the site several times to check it had not re-ignited.

The Georgian building, which is used as a conference and banqueting centre, is usually open for Sunday lunches all year.

Surrounded by green space at the safari park, near Bewdley, it was built in 1775 and boasts a view of much of the park, including natural lakes.

It is near the River Severn, which fire crews had to use to help tackle the blaze.

Yvonne Eaton, of fire control, added: "I think that some of the fire stations were actually planning a Christmas meal, but had to abort it."