Somerset pub destroyed in blaze

10 Jan 2013

A pub in Somerset was destroyed when a blaze ripped through the building in the early hours of Sunday January 6th, prompting numerous calls to the emergency services.
Firefighters arrived at the Bell Inn, part of the Hungry Horse chain, on Preston Road in Yeovil at around 4.20am and immediately requested back-up.
Eight fire engines attended the scene as crews battled to extinguish the flames within the two-storey building, which had engulfed the ground and first floors, as well as the rear of the roof.
Further appliances were drafted in later on in the morning, with crews arriving from across the region to help in the effort.
The pub was said to be "severely damaged" by the blaze, although fortunately no one was injured. An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the fire.
According to the Western Gazette, the owners of the Bell Inn have promised to rebuild the pub later this year. In the meantime staff will be redeployed to other establishments.
Geoff Collins, a local man who witnessed the inferno, told the newspaper: "It is devastating for the area as it is the best family pub in Yeovil.
"It has a large car park, huge playground at the back, the food area is always busy and they had a great line up of live music booked throughout the year."
He added: "The smoke was so thick you couldn't see the pub. At first we couldn't see flames but eventually we saw fire in the bar area. I can only guess that was as the fire moved around."
From FIA

A 'suitable and sufficient' fire risk assessment must be carried out on all commercial properties in Scotland, including pubs, under the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005
If the assessment is deemed to have been carried out to an insufficient extent, the Duty Holder can face an unlimited fine or up to two years in prison.