FIREFIGHTERS tackled a fire in Daresbury Hall on Daresbury Lane on Saturday.

Police said today that it was being treated as arson and are appealing for witnesses.

Eight fire engines were called to the blaze at around 4.45pm.

Crews found flames leaping out of the window of the large empty building and thick black smoke billowing from the roof.

The structure of the building was unsafe so fire crews used hydraulic platforms to deal with the blaze from outside the building.

Firefighters used main water jets to bring the fire under control and were fighting the flames until 10pm on Saturday night.

Two fire crews stayed at the scene overnight to make sure the fire did not catch hold of the building again.

Daresbury Lane was closed to traffic in both directions during the incident.

The fire has severely damaged the building.

The stately home was empty at the time of the blaze but has recently been used as a venue for a company offering zombie experience events.

It was also the site of a cannabis farm and police discovered £750,000 worth of drugs being grown at the mansion in April 2015.

Firefighters and police were at the scene all weekend.

Fortunately no casualties have been reported.

An investigation has been launched by Cheshire Fire and Cheshire Police into the cause of the blaze.

The fire is believed to have been started deliberately.

Anyone with information should call police on 101.

Information can also be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.