NEW CASTLE, Pa. - Flames heavily damaged a building that once housed the Days Inn on East North Street in New Castle.

Firefighters called out at 3 a.m. Sunday after police found smoke pouring from the side of the building.

The first firefighters on the scene reported smoke and flames coming from the first and second floor guest rooms.

Because the building was boarded up, it made it difficult for firefighters to get to the source of the flames.

At one point, fire was shooting from the building.  It took an hour and a half to get the fire under control.

At around 10:00 a.m., the fire rekindled once again engulfing the former hotel in flames. Fire officials on scene tell 21 News the building is now a total loss.