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Thatched pub destroyed by blaze | Thatched pub destroyed by blaze |
(about 2 hours later) | |
About 60 firefighters from across Devon have been tackling a major blaze at a thatched pub. | About 60 firefighters from across Devon have been tackling a major blaze at a thatched pub. |
Emergency services were called to the fire at the Old Thatched Inn in Station Road, Bovey Tracey, at 0250 BST. | Emergency services were called to the fire at the Old Thatched Inn in Station Road, Bovey Tracey, at 0250 BST. |
At the height of the blaze crews tapped into open water from the nearby River Bovey. The building has been almost completely destroyed. | At the height of the blaze crews tapped into open water from the nearby River Bovey. The building has been almost completely destroyed. |
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said six people, including a child, have been taken to hospital. | Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said six people, including a child, have been taken to hospital. |
They were not believed to have been seriously injured. As soon as the firemen managed to subdue the flames, the wind would reignite them Martin Price, eyewitness | |
Fire incident commander Tam Alford said the thatched roof and the first floor of the pub had collapsed, trapping pockets of fire inside the building. | Fire incident commander Tam Alford said the thatched roof and the first floor of the pub had collapsed, trapping pockets of fire inside the building. |
A building inspector from Teignbridge District Council was called to the site to help provide structural advice. | |
A team of specialist fire investigators will begin their work later, but Mr Alford said it could be several days before the cause of the blaze was known. | A team of specialist fire investigators will begin their work later, but Mr Alford said it could be several days before the cause of the blaze was known. |
Wind direction | |
Eyewitness Martin Price, who was staying overnight at a nearby property, told BBC News when he woken up at 0400 BST, the thatched roof was well ablaze. | |
"The flames were shooting up about 20ft [6m] into the air and there was a lot of smoke," he said. | |
"Fortunately the wind was blowing the flames in the opposite direction. | |
"Because it was thatch, as soon as the firemen managed to subdue the flames, the wind would reignite them and they'd shoot up again." |