17 November 2009

An investigation has started into a fire which badly damaged a former pub in Bletchley yesterday evening.

Crews from Bletchley, Great Holm, Broughton and Aylesbury were called to The White Hart in Whaddon Way at 6.43pm after a passer-by noticed smoke coming from the two-storey building. At its peak, there were more than 30 firefighters and officers at the scene.

Watch Manager Shaun Cunningham from Bletchley Fire Station said: "The fire was well-developed in the ground floor when we arrived, and the crews worked extremely hard to save what they did.

"The fire spread very quickly and we had to consider asking for nearby homes to be evacuated as the nearest one was only about 10 metres away. Fortunately the wind was with us and it was not necessary."

Firefighters used two sets of breathing apparatus, five main jets and a turntable ladder to put out the fire. Relief crews remained at the scene until 3am, and reinspections were carried out at 5am and 7.15am.

Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service and Thames Valley Police are investigating the cause of the fire.