Drinkers sup pints as firefighters tackle chimney blaze (From Ledbury Reporter)

Drinkers sup pints as firefighters tackle chimney blaze

2:56pm Tuesday 12th February 2008

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CALM and collected regulars at the Brewery Inn, Ledbury, are more used to seeing their local being flooded than catching fire.

But yesterday evening, (Monday, February 11), they enjoyed high drama and carried on supping their pints, as firefighters moved in and out of the building , - dealing with a ferocious blaze in the snug chimney.

The Brewery Inn was flooded twice during opening hours last year, during the summer downpours.

But this week the problem lay with flames that were shooting three feet out of a chimney pot.

Meanwhile smoke was pouring out of chimney access plate, into an upstairs bedroom.

Landlord Philip Hurrell said: "The customers took no notice and stayed. They expect anything down here, and it was bit of interest for everyone.

"They said it could only happen to me."

The flames were so fierce, the chimney pot was cracked and was due for a safety inspection this week.

The drama started at around 4.30pm when Mr Hurrell put a few logs in the fireplace of the snug.

Soon the chimney was ablaze and firefighters were called in from Bye Street Station, just yards away from the pub.

At the height of the blaze, both appliances were in attendance together with the aerial platform from Hereford.

The chimney is a very usual shape and needed constant aerial inspections by two firefighters.

Mr Hurrell explained: It's more than a kinked chimney, and one section of it goes horizontal."

Firefighters removed an access plate in the smoke-filled bedroom and found the section full of soot.

One hose-reel jet was used to put out the flames and fire fighters were on the scene until around 7pm.

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