Image copyright Keith Williams Image caption Fire crews, police and the ambulance service were seen at the building, which was built in 1873
A woman has died in a fire at a former hotel in north Wales.
North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said it was called to a fire at a property on the A496 in Bontddu at about 09:10 BST.
Fire crews from Dolgellau, Harlech, Barmouth, Bala and Blaenau Ffestiniog attended Bontddu Hall, which is between Barmouth and Dolgellau in Gwynedd.
A woman was pulled from the building, but died at the scene, the fire service has said.
North Wales Police is investigating the cause of the blaze alongside the fire service.
Local councillor Peredur Jenkins said it was a "tragedy" and offered his sympathies to the family of the woman who died.
"I would like to express my gratitude to the emergency services for their attendance at the scene."
Bontddu Hall was a well known luxury hotel until about 15 years ago, and it has since been used as a private residence.
Recently some building work was being carried out on the property and scaffolding had been erected.
Image caption Bontddu Hall is often used as a wedding venue
The property overlooks the Mawddach Estuary, and former guests at the hotel include actor Richard Burton.
Before it became a hotel, it was known as Bryn Tirion, and was used as the country residence of the Mayor of Birmingham.
Former Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain is also known to have stayed there.
A fire broke out yesterday at  Hall near  in , Wales. The historic mansion is a former hotel with high-profile guests. A rescued woman died at the scene.
Bontddu Hall, pictured in 2007.
 were called to the building, located off the  overlooking the  Estuary in , at 09:09am local time. Resources sent included  from Dolgellau, , , , and  according to a fire service statement, as well as an , high volume pump, and the service's . 

Police, the ambulance service, and an  also attended. Photos and video from the blaze showed thick smoke with flames visible at windows. The fire service indicated an investigation working alongside  was underway. Bontddu Hall recently underwent building work and scaffolding was still erected at the time of the fire.
File photo of Bontddu with the Mawddach Estuary in the background.
Bontddu Hall dates to 1873, originally a 20-room mansion, and was a country retreat for the Mayor of Birmingham called Bryn Tirion before becoming a hotel. Guests include regular visitor ex-UK Prime Minister  and actor  who stayed at Bontddu Hall while filming his 1949 movie debut ''''.

The hotel closed around fifteen years ago, with local press reporting in 2004 then-new owner Tong Yung-soo, who had purchased Bontddu Hall in 2001, and his wife applied to make it a residence once more. The move was met with what WalesOnline called "fury" from local tourism chiefs. The then-manager of Barmouth Publicity and Director of Mid Wales Tourism Partnership, David Clay, called it "a retrograde step" and said "an area like this cannot afford to lose such a quality hotel."

The Tongs indicated issues staffing the hotel, something Clay recognised, and Mr Tong had said they intended to "restore the hall to its former glory." Following the hotel's closure it has remained a private home.