Evacuation drama after Westgate pub roof fire
HUNDREDS of onlookers watched as The Westgate pub caught fire yesterday.
The afternoon drama saw Westgate Street partially closed off at 2.30pm as firefighters used an aerial crane to put out the roof fire.
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ON HIGH: Firefighters tackle the Westgate pub fire on the roof.
Drinkers at the 16th Century bar fled while manager Chris Marsh tried to tackle the blaze until firefighters arrived.
Robin Ledbury, owner of The Barber, which is two doors down, discovered the blaze.
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He said: "It all happened so quickly. We saw a lot of smoke and everyone got out of the building, then before we knew it the fire were here."
Tom Skinner, who works at Gloucester MP Richard Graham's nearby office, said: "We could smell smoke and ran around the back where we saw the roof was on fire.
"Chris, the bar manager, had blood on his arms and was apparently trying to tackle the fire before firefighters arrived."
It is believed the fire started in the roof, where builders were laying bitumen.
Bar worker Sarah Guilfoyle was on hand to evacuate the bar.
She said: "We had a few of our regulars in at the time and when we found out about the fire, we got everyone out quickly."
Customers were joined by workers at the next door KFC, staff at Mr Graham's constituency office and city councillor Jennie Dallimore on the street.
Neighbouring business owners helped fire crews by removing street furniture to allow fire engines access.
Fire commander Jon French said: "The fire was well alight when we arrived.
"Once we were on scene we requested further resources, which were sent from Stroud, Cheltenham East and Cheltenham West.
"We've also used an aerial appliance to bring the fire under control."
Around 20 per cent of the roof was damaged.
Take a look at our Photo Gallery of the Westgate pub fire
12 Comments
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by tishwash
Thursday, January 24 2013, 8:06PM
“they'd never turn anyone away, straight, gay or anything providing you don't cause trouble”
by Ms_Superstar
Thursday, January 24 2013, 11:12AM
“@Timmessanger - yes, inclusive. I'm sure they wouldn't turn away straight people, unless they started causing trouble. I'm not gay myself - I'm what is loosely referred to as trans ( in fact I am a member of the Mensa TG interest group - 99th percentile, if it matters), and have had to put up with prejudice, refusal of entry and even physical violence as a result. I'm not asking for minorities to be liked or treated differently, just left alone.”
by TimMessanger
Wednesday, January 23 2013, 11:07PM
“"nikonman2010" you sound a proper idiot don't diss the fire service that have been putting out chimney fires every morning, evening and night this month, if you think they don't deserve respect then I hope your family have a fire and they show YOUR family NO respect by not attending!
So this was a "inclusive" pub?
I thought it was a "GAY" pub as per their rainbow flag outside (an advertisement)
Yes it's sad about the fire but why try and use the "GAY flag" to try and make it more of a story than it is (comments, NOT the managers who are having a hard time at them moment and deserve as much support as possible)”
by nikonman2010
Wednesday, January 23 2013, 7:24PM
“Plus i expect it was full of Glosta potato heads with sawn off Tee shirts ramming steroids in verying orifices”
by nikonman2010
Wednesday, January 23 2013, 7:22PM
“Usual fire service i expect way OTT in response im surprised they didnt put axes throu the doors etc plus plod seals off a quarter of a mile radius and they send four meatwagons just incase”
by Ms_Superstar
Wednesday, January 23 2013, 4:20PM
“@GrahamBarker I was wearing a vest. It was the merest glimpse of stocking that 'was looked on as ssomething shocking', to coin a phrase.
Inclusion is about not treating people from legitimate minority groups unfavouably just because we cannot understand or tolerate their lifestyle”
by Grahambarker
Wednesday, January 23 2013, 1:46PM
“Ms-Superstar - you sound like a nightmare!
I dont rally understand your comment about a pub being - inclusive.. tolerant....
Maybe if you tried wearing a vest?”
by Ms_Superstar
Wednesday, January 23 2013, 1:01PM
“Very sad. One of Gloucester's (indeed Gloucestershire's) few inclusive and tolerant venues.
(I'm still reeling after being told to go home from a bar in Cheltenham because of my appearance!)
Hope it can reopen soon.”
by Soft Data Internet Limited
Wednesday, January 23 2013, 12:01PM
“Sadly the reporting has been very poor. Yesterday they said Westgate St had been evacuated. Just not so. We had 2 fire engines back this morning, but only for a short while and the pub is open today.
http://tinyurl.com/av4exsk”
by Matt1006
Wednesday, January 23 2013, 11:49AM
“Tuffley22 - are you suggesting TiG are over-stating things? What's the old saying - "never let the facts get in the way of a good story"
Now, where can we find a good story...”