Fire at 18th Century pub leaves owner stunned

More than a dozen firefighters have tackled a fire at an 18th Century pub in Warwickshire.

Three fire engines were sent to The Cottage Inn on Black Hall Lane, Fillongley, on Friday at about 04:30 BST.

The blaze involved half of the first floor and the roof of the two-storey building, Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service said.

A statement on the pub's website said it was closed "until further notice" after a fire caused "substantial damage" and it was unable to open or trade.

"Whilst the family are safe we are of course heartbroken," a spokesperson added in a post on Facebook.

"We thank you for your continued support at this difficult time."

Some parts of the building were thought to be more than 300 years old, according to the pub's website.

Owner Luke Bratchie discovered the blaze when the fire alarm went off.

He said he walked into the kitchen and saw the smoke and flames before he left the building with partner Ellie and his mum and dogs.

"As we stood outside, I realised that nothing was open so the fire brigade couldn't get into anything so I ran back upstairs to get the keys, ran back down and opened all the doors," he said.

Mr Bratchie told BBC CWR the fire "spread throughout the whole of the building" and there was "literally nothing there."

"All the money that was in the safe, they've checked the safe it's all burnt to crisp," he said,

"I've lost money, I've lost clothes, I've lost my livelihood and my home.

"This pub's not just a pub, it's a very big part of the community."

Eyewitness Ricky described how he saw "fire coming up everywhere from the back of the pub" at about 05:00 BST.

"I was worried about the family there and they've got dogs as well, so I was thinking did they get out or not," he added.

"It's such a shame that it's happened to them."

Black Hall Lane was closed between Tamworth Road and Shawbury Lane.

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