A joint police and fire investigation is to be launched into a blaze which destroyed an iconic former country hotel.

The Ballacallin Hotel in Dalby had been too dangerous for the emergency services to enter, while firefighters continued to dampen down smoking hot spots.

Two people and a dog were rescued from a cottage next to the old hotel when the devastating blaze broke out in the early hours of Tuesday.

Firefighters worked through the night to bring the blaze under control.

By daylight smoke was still billowing from parts of the building and sections of roof continuing to collapse.

And fire crews were back on site on Wednesday as some hot spots began smoking again.

Police scenes of crime officers and fire investigators can only begin their investigation into the cause of the blaze once the building is safe to enter.

A police spokesman said: ’Police will be working alongside the fire service on an investigation into the cause of the fire.’

Red watch from Douglas fire station was joined by retained firefighters from Peel and Douglas to battle the blaze.

Fire crews arrived to find flames had spread throughout the building.

Due to a lack of major water supplies nearby some 45 firefighters worked in rotation to ensure that water could be transported from the closest hydrants in Glen Maye.

Two people and their dog were led to safety from a cottage behind the old hotel. They were checked over by paramedics.

They did not require hospital admission and their home was not damaged.

Relief incident commander Station Officer Dallimore said conditions were difficult for the firefighters overnight with water from the jets running off the building and immediately freezing in the icy conditions.

He said: ’There will be a police and fire investigation but we have to make sure it is fully extinguished first.’

The former hotel had been empty for many years and had become increasingly derelict.

On Wednesday morning the fire service posted: ’Due to some hot spots smoking again crews have been back on site damping down.

’Due to the nature of the incident and the crews inability to safely enter the building the usual process of turning over debris has been impossible.’