POLICE in Malton have launched an investigation after the loft of a Norton pub caught fire twice on the same day.

Police believe the two fires at the Railway Tavern, on Wold Street, yesterday morning, were suspicious.

Fire safety officer Dave Silversides, of North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We got called to the fire at about 1.30am. We were here until about 4.30am. The fire was in the loft area and it was put out and we left the scene.

"We were called again at about 9am in another part of the same area.

"From that point of view the fire is suspicious and that is why the police are here."

Sergeant Will Eastwood, from Malton Police, said: "We got a call in the early hours. When we attended the fire had been put out. We believe it was suspicious.

"Scenes of crimes will look for forensic evidence which might be anything that might have been used to light the fire."

Nobody was injured during the fires. The roof of the pub was damaged and so were the insides of the rooms which were used as storage.

Updated: 10:40 Monday, June 09, 2003