The Welsh Tavern, in London Road, Stone, was up in flames yesterday (June 11) just before 7pm.
Smoke filled the road as firefighters tackled the blaze, which was eventually under control by 10.30pm.
The building stands this morning with its roof destroyed, windows damaged and its walls blackened.
It has been taped off by emergency services.
No injuries have been reported following the fire.
Kent Police is treating the cause of the blaze as “suspicious” and officers are investigating the matter.
London Road was closed off from Hillhouse Road to Cotton Lane as firefighters dealt with the flames, although the road has since reopened.
The Welsh Tavern, which dates back to 1827, shut in 2022.
While plans were submitted to demolish the watering hole and replace it with flats, the application was later withdrawn.
A Kent Police spokesperson said: “Kent Police was called at 6.48pm on Wednesday 11 June to a fire at a derelict building in London Road, Stone.
“Officers attended the scene and closed nearby roads while fire crews extinguished the blaze.
“The cause of the fire is being treated as suspicious and an investigation is underway.”
Anyone with information that may assist should call police on 01474 366149, quoting reference 46/98399/25.
