A bride spoke of her devastation after a fire tore through Thornton Manor Hotel in Wirral over the weekend.
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service was called out to the Grade II listed hotel, in Wirral, at around 9pm on February 5 after a blaze spread from the boilers to the roof.
In what was described as a "challenging incident", eight engines were sent to the scene near the village Thornton Hough and crews used an aerial appliance.
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People right across Merseyside said they are "devastated" as dream weddings are now in "tatters" and another "beautiful building is destroyed".
ECHO reader Lauren Goldsworthy said: "We had six weeks left to wait. Our big day now in tatters. First covid, now this. Heartbroken doesn’t even cover it."
Becky Hughes said: "There was a wedding happening there yesterday that my sisters in laws were attending luckily everyone got out and are so safe.
"Just imagine what could have happened and what has happened to such a beautiful building."
Carmen Entwistle added: "Wow what a shame . My niece got married there, it's a lovely building."
Sandie Orford wrote: "I’m totally devastated, I was supervising this wedding when the alarm went off. Just a huge shame."
Emergency services were first called after a fire in the hotel's boiler room which was put out before fire crews arrived on the scene.
But upon further inspection it was revealed the fire had spread to the roof space.
On Sunday, crews were still at the scene of what was described as a 'substantial fire.'
ECHO readers said they have "fond memories" of the building and they were "sad" to hear the news of the devastating fire.
Bonnie Low said: "How awful. I feel sorry for the owners and for the guests that were staying there at the time, must have been terrified, I know I would be."
Christine Hodge said: "I feel so sorry for people who have booked their wedding there."
Dorothy Doyle added: "How sad for the owners and staff also the people who had their wedding. So sorry for people who have booked future weddings booked after covid."
Mandy Martin wrote: "My husband and I were there for a friend's wedding. Such a sad night to an end of a beautiful day."
Wedding DJ Matthew Tolley, who was working at the hotel on Saturday night, described dramatic scenes as the guests were 'evacuated' from the Elizabethan-style building.
Mr Tolley said it was lucky the incident wasn't more serious than it was - and when he was driving home broke down in tears.
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