Devizes pub fire leaves firefighter injured

It has been reported that a firefighter was taken to hospital for treatment following a large fire in a Wiltshire pub late on Saturday night.

Fire crews were called to the Black Horse in Bath Road, Devizes at around 10:30pm where the blaze, which started in the upper level of the building, had now spread to the roof.

A passer-by had alerted the landlord to the smoke bellowing from the roof and the pub had to be evacuated.

Seven appliances from the Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service were required to tackle the fire, where additional water was needed from the Kennet and Avon canal.

The firefighter who was injured when attempting to put out the blaze and stop the flames from reaching homes in the vicinity was sent to the Great Western Hospital as a precautionary measure.

The fire crews drew praise from station manager Ade Hurren for their actions. He said:

“I was very impressed with the efforts of the initial crews as they fought to contain a seriously developing fire.”

An electrical fault is said to have been the cause of the fire, although the Fire Investigation team has attended the scene to carry out an assessment. The fire is being treated as accidental.