The roof of a miners' club collapsed as fire swept through the building.
Around 50 firefighters battled the flames at Whitburn and District Miners' Club in West Lothian for 12 hours.
They were called just before 5am on Monday when a passer-by saw smoke coming from the building. Police closed a stretch of West Main Street in the town to allow the emergency services to deal with the blaze.
Residents in surrounding areas were evacuated - including pensioners in a neighbouring care home - and others asked to stay inside and keep their windows closed.
Witnesses said that large flames were coming out of the roof of the club before the ceiling gave way and collapsed. No one has been injured in the incident and the building was empty at the time.
Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service extinguished the flames by 5pm on Monday but crews stayed to damp down the building and start the clean-up process.
A spokeswoman for Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service said: “Firefighters raced to the scene and discovered the building well alight. A total of seven pumping appliances and two height appliances were called to the incident.
“Crews using breathing apparatus and lines of hose tackled the well-developed fire from inside the property before withdrawing when conditions deteriorated and concerns arose about the structural safety of the building.
“The blaze is now being fought from outside the premises and there has been heavy smoke in the immediate vicinity. Those living nearby have been advised to keep windows and doors closed.
“No one was in the building when the fire was discovered and a full investigation will take place to establish the cause of the blaze. Firefighters from Whitburn, Bathgate, Livingston, Newcraighall, Liberton, Sighthill and Crewe Toll have all been involved at the scene.”
The club is used as a community venue and was available to hire out.
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