'Another 10 minutes and it could have been a different story' - The Blue Bell Inn landlord thanks fire service for quick response

A pub landlord has thanked the fire service for its quick response as he says “Another 10 minutes and it could have been a different story”.

The Blue Bell Inn on South Street, Emsworth was one of two businesses affected by a fire which started in a garden area in the early hours of Saturday, July 11. The pub is now closed to the public as it looks to fix the “significantly damaged” kitchen roof.

Giles Babb, the landlord of the Emsworth pub, was awoken by an alarm at around 2am alerting him of a tamper in one of his stores, essentially that a seal had been broken.

Get access to trustworthy local news for just £5 - sign up for a digital subscription to The News

“It is unusual to get a tamper alarm at night which is what made me check the CCTV,” Giles told The News, “I saw the flames so called 999 straight away. Luckily a neighbour had as well and there was a quick response from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue.

“It caught our flat roof alight but once the fire brigade were here they got it under control pretty quickly. We can’t trade at the moment as we have a hole in the roof.”

Giles believes the fire services quick response stopped what could have a much worse scenario.

He said: “It is good that Emsworth still has a fire service and engine onsite as they were the first to scene and helped limit the damage. Another 10 minutes and it could have been a different story.”

Sign up for our free emails for all of the local news and sport headlines

JJ’s Taphouse was the other business affected by the fire with the building suffering smoke and heat damage. They have confirmed online that they will be open as usual today.

A Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue spokesperson said: “Firefighters were called to South Steet in Emsworth shortly after 2:00am this morning to reports of a fire that started in the garden area of a public house before spreading to two neighbouring licensed premises.

“The fire caused significant damage to the kitchen area and roof of one property, while the second sustained smoke and heat damage. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus worked to extinguish the blaze using multiple hose reels, main jets, and an aerial ladder platform.

“The incident was brought under control, with the stop message received at 5:00am. A reinspection of the scene was carried out at 7:45am, with no further signs of smoke or fire detected.”