29 Jan 2013
Fire crews in Gloucester have been praised for the speed of their response as they prevented a blaze at a pub from spreading.
The Westgate Pub, which is located in Westgate Street not far from the cathedral and opposite council premises, caught fire on January 22 and there were fears the flames could spread.
However, firefighters from the Gloucester North and Gloucester South brigades were on the scene quickly after receiving calls from locals and they managed to extinguish the fire in just over an hour.
Shops in the vicinity were evacuated and only a fifth of the roof damaged. The pub is now open again less than a week after the blaze.
The fire reportedly started because of bitumen laid on the roof by workmen, and fire safety officers were concerned it could spread quickly as the pub is believed to have been built in the 16th century.
The chief fire officer for Gloucester Fire and Rescue, Jon Hall, said the quick response shows why the brigade is considered among the best around, and being able to call on the services of nearby brigades also helped to limit the damage.
Copyright Press Association 2013