SIX teenagers arrested on suspicion of setting the former Madison Hotel on fire have been re-bailed while investigations continue.

The Swindon youths, aged between 13 and 16, were first arrested hours after the ferocious blaze ripped through the building in Oxford Road on July 27.

This week, a Wiltshire Police spokesman confirmed the teenagers’ bail had been extended until mid-November.

On the evening of the fire, shocked bystanders watched from the adjacent footbridge near the White Hart roundabout as thick black smoke billowed from the disused building which closed in 2014.

Emergency crews tried to shepherd people away to protect them from the smoke, and more than 40 firefighters from around the county were called to the scene and remained there throughout the night and into the early hours of the morning extinguishing the flames.

Police previously appealed for people who may have seen a group of youths running from the scene soon after the fire started to contact them.

Speaking at the time Detective Sergeant Scott Anger said: "We know members of the public were taking photos at the scene.

“If that was you and you have any pictures of anyone acting suspiciously please could you come forward to let us see these; this could be very helpful in our investigation."

Since the fire the hotel has been boarded up and the roof is visibly destroyed.