Chef is hero after blaze
Published: May 18, 2006
A FIRE that broke out in the service area behind the Bell Inn at Ramsbury was prevented from spreading into the main building thanks to light sleeping chef Steven Wise.
Even with a quick response by the village firefighters they were unable to prevent the fire destroying an extension that housed the wash-up room and boiler room in the early hours of last Thursday They were able to prevent the flames spreading to the 16th century main building.
Extensive smoke damage was caused to the kitchens resulting in the pub’s renowned restaurant having to be shut down.
Licensee Jeremy Wilkins said: “It will have to be closed for the foreseeable future.”
continued…
He said that with a best case scenario he hoped that some kitchen facilities would be open by this weekend.
There was also some light smoke damage through the remainder of the building, mainly upstairs.
The bars, however, were able to open as usual on Thursday although the only food available was sandwiches.
The fire was discovered by the chef at about 2.30am.
He awoke other staff who sleep on the premises and they were also safely evacuated.
Mr Wilkins, who lives on the opposite side of The Square, was roused with the news that part of his pub was on fire.
He praised the quick response of firefighters from Ramsbury, backed by two appliances from Marlborough.
There had been a violent thunderstorm a few hours earlier.
Mr Wilkins said Wiltshire Fire Brigade investigators had been able to rule out a lightning strike starting the blaze.
He said: “They thought the cause of the fire was probably an electrical fault, possibly in a tumble dryer.”
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