A “PRICELESS” building which survived the the Battle of Britain has been largely destroyed by fire.

The blaze at Kenley Aerodrome, which raged through the night, is now under control. But much of the building – the Grade II listed former officers’ mess – has been destroyed.

A fire service investigation has been launched, and fire investigators have also contacted Surrey Police about the incident, although no information about the suspected cause of the fire has yet been released.

Suspicions are however mounting that the building was deliberately set alight.

Chair of Kenley Airfield Friends Group, Alan Morgan, said the building was “priceless”.

“There was a fire there a year or so ago which was arson and I would be very surprised if this was anything other than arson,” he said.

“You can’t call it a tragedy because no-one has died but it is a dreadful thing to happen to a historic building that was intrinsically linked to the Battle of Britain.”

Kenley Aerodrome was in the front line during the Battle of Britain and had three fighter squadrons based there in 1940.

The building has been empty for some years. A planning application to convert it to flats was submitted to Tandridge District Council last year. The Mirror understands part of the roof and first floor have collapsed as a result of the blaze.

The Mirror has asked Surrey Police for a comment.