THE fire which destroyed a row of historic beach chalets in a North Yorkshire seaside town is to be investigated by police.

Fire crews were called to tackle the blaze at Scarborough’s Spa complex in the resort’s South Bay at about 6am yesterday, after members of a local gym reported one wooden chalet was on fire.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service said the fire soon spread to more of the 12 chalets.

Two crews extinguished the fire by about 7.40am, but two chalet were completely destroyed.

The remaining ten chalets suffered about 20 per cent fire damage, and about 50 per cent smoke and water damage. A fire crew and a fire investigation officer remained at the scene throughout Monday.

The spokesman said the fire investigation officer had been in contact with North Yorkshire Police, and the cause of the fire was now being investigated.

Officers have urged anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area around the time of the incident or knows how the fire was started to contact them with information.

Anyone with information should phone North Yorkshire Police on 101, email sarah.margetts@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk or phone Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.