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Village pub and shop owners 'devastated' by fire

Worlingworth Swan A firefighter tackling a fire at Worlingworth Swan, SuffolkWorlingworth Swan
Fire crews from across Suffolk attended the scene on Tuesday evening
  • A number of fire crews from across Suffolk were called to Worlingworth Swan on Tuesday night
  • A community shop has been left "devastated" its owners say
  • The fire service and community are praised for their help

The owners of a village pub, cafe and community shop said they were "devastated" after a fire.

Five crews were called to the blaze at Worlingworth Swan, on Church Road, Worlingworth, Suffolk, at 18:34 BST on Tuesday.

Tom and Emma Royall, who run the business, praised staff on Facebook for their "quick thinking", and thanked the fire service and the community.

The building reopened a year ago after being shut for about seven years.

Worlingworth Swan A fire at Worlingworth Swan in SuffolkWorlingworth Swan
The business has been closed for the time being

The blaze was extinguished by 20:17, Suffolk Fire and Rescue said.

The owners said the business was unable to open at the moment and they were assessing the damage.

Tom Royall said seeing flames "billowing out for the front door, coming straight out" was "pretty scary stuff".

He said the thatch roof was saved from the flames but repair work was "going to be very expensive", as about £30,000 worth of stock had been lost.

"It's gutting - we'll come back," he said.

Listen: The pub had re-opened only a year ago following months of renovations
Luke Deal/BBC Fire damaged Worlingworth SwanLuke Deal/BBC
Clearing up the damage started to take place on Wednesday morning

Emma Royall said: "The shop has been devastated."

The pub was not as badly damaged and the couple are hoping to reopen it as soon as possible.

Worlingworth Swan Firefighters at Worlingworth Swan Worlingworth Swan
Firefighters saved the pub's thatch from going up in flames
A fire at Worlingworth Swan in Suffolk
Three hose reels, one jet, a short extension ladder and a 9m ladder were used to extinguish the fire, Suffolk Fire and Rescue said

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