London, Dec 3 (IANS): A bridegroom in Britain who got involved in a row with the hotel staff over a few hundred pounds on a wedding reception bar bill, started a fire at a country house hotel, causing six million pounds of damage, a report said.

Property developer Max Kay, 36, is faced with jail for starting the huge blaze only a few hours after he tied the knot, the Daily Mail reported.

The incident occurred in north-west England.

A court heard that shortly after arguing with the bar staff, Kay was caught on CCTV cameras going into a drawing room at the hotel. Investigators later discovered the fire had been started deliberately on a pair of curtains in that room.

About 200 people, including 11 children, had to be evacuated by over 100 firemen who scrambled to tackle the blaze.

A wing of the Grade I-listed Peckforton Castle, near Tarporley, Cheshire - a 19th century country home built in the style of a castle - was destroyed in the incident.