Fire Evacuates Wetherspoon Pub, Leaves Customers Displaced
A Wetherspoon pub in Shropshire, known as The Hippodrome, has been temporarily closed after a fire broke out during a busy dinner service. The incident occurred at approximately 1:14 PM on a Saturday, prompting the immediate evacuation of staff and customers.
The building, originally constructed as the town's first purpose-built cinema in 1927, presented a unique challenge for the Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service. The fire, caused by hot embers from an open fire falling through a defect in the fireplace, spread rapidly both vertically and horizontally within the building's structure.
Firefighters contained the blaze to the ground floor, preventing potential damage to the roof and ensuring no injuries. However, the fire caused significant damage to the floor, walls, and ceiling within the raised seating area.
The fire service described the incident as complex due to the hidden fire spread behind wooden panelling and the building's layout. Their efforts included cutting away burnt timber and damping down the area after the fire was extinguished. They also returned during the night to re-inspect the site using thermal imaging cameras.
Despite the swift action of the fire service, the pub remains closed while repairs and assessments are carried out. This incident highlights the importance of fire safety measures and the potential challenges in managing fires in historic buildings.
