Pub blaze '˜horror' as The Alford Arms is forced to shut

In the early hours of Saturday morning, a fire broke out at the Frithsden pub and it took six fire crews five hours to bring it under control.

Initial fears were that people were trapped inside the building but everyone was soon accounted for and there were no injuries.

The top two floors, including the roof, were badly damaged by the blaze which the fire service has concluded was ‘accidental’.

But the pub has been shut for the foreseeable future as the damage is fully assessed and repair work takes place.

Owners David and Becky Salisbury said: “After almost 18 years at The Alford, the horror of watching six fire engines surround our pub as flames licked through the roof, will stay with us for a long time.

“Whilst the top two floors have been very badly damaged we are blessed with the fact that there were no injuries or anything worse for the team at The Alford.

“If you have something booked with us in the next few months then we will be in touch and work out what is going to be likely as we get to understand the severity of the damage to the structure.

“We will be back – brighter, even more beautiful – and with the same passion for delivering great local produce in this fabulous village as soon as we can.”

Anyone with a reservation is asked to email [email protected]