Quake-damaged Kaikoura hotel destroyed in suspected arson

The New Commercial Hotel in Kaikoura was first damaged by quake and has now been destroyed by fire. Photo / File

A large hotel badly damaged in the Kaikoura earthquake is charred a ruin after a suspicious blaze overnight.

Fire and Emergency southern shift manager Andrew Norris said fire engulfed the New Commercial Hotel on Brighton St just after 11pm.

Firefighters spent more than four hours fighting the fire as it ripped through the condemned two-storey building.

The building was abandoned and awaiting demolition after last year's 7.8 quake.

Norris said firefighters battled the blaze from the perimeter after the roof and first floor collapsed.

The destructive blaze was being treated as suspicious and specialist fire investigators would determine the cause of the blaze today.