A Grade II listed building was gutted by a suspected arson fire.
The 300-year-old, former Toby Tavern pub, was ravaged by a blaze on Friday, March 4.
Locals have since reacted with disgust and shock, with one resident calling it a 'great loss' to the community.
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Fire crews worked through the night to bring the huge fire under control, on Ashley Road, Skelmersdale.
The building was well alight by the time six fire engines attended and after the fire was put out, the shell of a blackened building was left behind.
One resident, who did not wish to be named, told Lancs Live : "It just covered the streets in smoke – it was terrible. They should turn it into something for kids as there’s nothing around here for kids to do."
Another said: "I thought it was terrible. Loads of people came out to see it. It’s been a part of the community since before the houses around it were built – it was part of old Skelmersdale."
Nigel Hudson, owner of Hudson’s window cleaning business in Skelmersdale, said: "I watched it go through so many transformations, and I have lived here for 50 years. The old Toby has always been one of the historical buildings within the town.
"It’s such a shame to see it in the state it’s in now. I remember back, many years ago, in the seventies, we used to play darts in the place. As a local business owner, I cleaned the windows for 20 years.
"It seems to be the last in a spate of fires that have happened in the town over recent years. It’s really quite disheartening to see this happening to such a good building."
Meanwhile, another resident said: "It’s a great loss. People think it doesn’t matter because it’s Skem. Every time there’s a heritage building in Skem, it goes on fire. This was Skelmersdale Hall where the lord and lady lived. They were responsible for the land at the back and where the old farm buildings are.
"If this was anywhere other than Skem, the buildings would have been protected. People behave as if Skem hasn’t got a heritage, but people here are proud of their heritage."
The building had been boarded up since its last closure and had most recently a restaurant , function room and children’s soft play area, while the two acre grounds were home to a large beer garden and car parks.
A planning application submitted last year sought to save the main building for conversion to a care facility for over 55s.
Still awaiting a decision, the plan would have seen the construction of an additional building to provide dozens of apartments as well as a communal lounge for residents, a salon guest suite and staff room.
The chair of Skelmersdale Heritage Society, Mark Boardman, said: "I think it’s a massive loss to the town's heritage. The building was over 300 years old.
"I believe the interior was much changed when it became a pub but regardless of this it was an iconic building in the town equally loved by both old Skemmers and those from the new town.
“Parts of it were 19th century but the oldest part was dated to 1712. It was originally a farmhouse known as Skelmersdale Hall. In the 70s it was converted into the Toby Pub.
"This was a very popular venue for a number of years, and judging by people’s comments, half the town’s parents met there for the first time.
“I think it’s a terrible shame that a Grade II listed building can end up like this. Its history could be traced back prior to when Skelmersdale was mostly farmland, prior to the mining industry taking hold in the mid 19th century let alone the redevelopment of the 1960s and 70s."
Councillor James Upjohn said he was gutted to see the fire and that he had wanted to protect the building prior to the blaze.
He said: “A lot of people are absolutely gutted to see that this building has burned down.
“There’s mixed feelings. Some people are of the opinion, use it or lose it.
"And it’s been closed for 18 months. And the reason it was closed is because people weren’t using it; it’s a real shame. If people were using it, it wouldn’t have been closed and it wouldn’t then be abandoned and burned down. I used it a few times when it was open, and now, I’m absolutely gutted to see that it’s just absolutely wrecked."
A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said the fire was being treated as suspicious and was now subject to a joint investigation by police and the fire service.
They said: “We were called at around 5.25pm on Friday, March 4th to reports of a fire at a derelict building on Ashurst Road, Skelmersdale. The fire is being treated as suspicious and a joint investigation with the fire service has been launched.
"Anybody with information should call 101, quoting log 1037 of March 4th.”
