Firefighters tackling the blaze, which broke out on the upper floor of the sprawling property, were forced outside after the roof collapsed.

Last night it was believed no-one had been trapped in the building, known as Caledonia, on Cut Road. It had been empty and derelict for some time.

Investigators are trying to discover what caused the fire.

St. George's fire chief Mr. Gary Renaud said 23 firefighters from St.

George's, the US Navy base and Hamilton tackled the blaze, with six fire engines.

He said firefighters were alerted at about 1.30 p.m., after the fire had been burning for some time. "I was the first firefighter on the scene and when I arrived part of the roof had collapsed,'' he said. "We went in and started fire fighting until it became unsafe.'' The building was boarded up and sprayed with "Danger Keep Out'' warnings.

"It's a tremendous old Bermuda home, which in its heyday was probably a work of art,'' added Mr. Renaud.

Wooden floors in the old building had fed the fire.

It is believed the house is owned by Bermuda Housing Corporation.

GUTTED -- Firefighters were forced to stay out of a blazing St. George's home yesterday after the roof of the historic building collapsed.