Fire crews tackle large overnight blaze

Fire crews have tackled a large overnight blaze in Pateley Bridge near Harrogate.

Several crews from across the county were called to the premises in King Street late on Saturday night, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said.

The building houses Nidderdale Museum and the council chamber, as well as a residential property.

The town's mayor praised the community for its response, particularly a "young unknown man" who helped a tenant escape.

Chris Thompson told the BBC: "Whoever he is we are all very grateful to him."

Pateley Bridge Town Council thanked the emergency services "and a brave young member of the public" who helped with the "awful fire in King Street last night".

Posting online, the council said it was a relief no one was killed, and the local school and museum were safe.

"An amazing community pulled together in a crisis," the council said.

Mr Thompson said he was called by another councillor living nearby who told him about the fire.

"The house [in the old workhouse complex] was seriously ablaze by the time I arrived," he said.

"The first appliances had arrived and firefighters were trying to douse the flames but they were really high, lots of smoke, lots of people just in shock."

He said a man had kicked down the fence to the house so that the occupant could escape from his garden.

He added that the tenant was not seriously hurt but was taken to hospital and has been made homeless by the fire.

The building, now owned by North Yorkshire Council, used to be the town's workhouse in a complex which includes small businesses as well as the residential house.

Nidderdale Museum and the council chamber are part of the building and St Cuthbert's Primary School is next door.

"The museum, council chamber and school all escaped the fire thankfully and were undamaged, thanks to the fire service," he said.

Mr Thompson said North Yorkshire Council would now be looking to rehome the tenant, and damage to the small businesses would also be assessed.

He said the emergency services were "fantastic", "brilliant".

"If they hadn't been so professional we could have lost the museum," he said.

"And the school could have been damaged.

"I'd also like to thank the wider community; so many people turned out to ask what they can do.

"It was community at its very best."

An investigation is under way into the cause of the blaze, the fire service said.

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