WATCH: Fifty firefighters tackle blaze at West Midlands Wetherspoon pub that saw diners and drinkers evacuated
Up to 50 firefighters battled a blaze in a Shropshire Wetherspoon pub that saw diners and drinkers evacuated.
Eight fire crews were sent to the scene of the incident, at The Hippodrome pub on Queen Street in Market Drayton.
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said it was alerted to the situation shortly after 1pm today - Saturday, December 27.
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Station manager Craig Jackson was present at the scene and said the blaze appeared to involve an open fire in the premises.
He praised the management and staff at the pub for getting all of the customers out safely and smoothly.
He said: "We believe it involves an open fire in the building. Thankfully everyone was evacuated safely, the premises owners have done a really good job in making sure people were evacuated and safe and we've been able to go in and start to tackle and control that fire."
An update from the fire service said that 20 officers had been wearing breathing equipment while using hosereel jets to deal with the incident.
The roads were closed around the area while firefighters got the incident under control, with West Mercia Police also at the scene.
One of those enjoying a meal at the pub was John Kirby from Wolverhampton, who was on a day out from Wolverhampton with his 15-month old daughter Hannah.
He explained how the drama had unfolded, saying: "We were just eating our lunch and then we saw smoke coming from the fire pit, and we don't know if there was a fire underneath the fire pit, and then so we basically moved positions away from the fire, and then someone came, one of the customers came with a fire extinguisher trying to put it out and we just moved away, then the fire alarm went off and we just all evacuated."
The fire service said that all people had been accounted for and the fire was out by 3.30pm.
A spokesperson for JD Wetherspoon said on Saturday evening that the blaze had started in the pub's open fire but they were hoping to see pub open on Sunday.
He said: "Looks like the fire has started from the open fire in the pub.
"Some firefighters are still on site but the fire has not spread anywhere else in the building.
"Basically a clean up crew is in place and we are awaiting various contractors to attend to check over electrics, gas pipes and to start repairs.
"We won’t be opening the pub this evening but are hopeful once contractors have been out this evening we will open as normal tomorrow."
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