Firefighters applauded for Easter Sunday pub salvage

A total of 23 fire crews from all over the region helped save a thatched roof from being completely engulfed by flames, following yesterday's pub fire (April 4).

Emergency services were alerted to a roof fire at The White Hart in Wilmington at around midday, with eight local fire stations, including Honiton, first to attend the scene.

Further assistance was quickly enlisted in the effort to create a break in the fire, using crews and equipment from Devon, Dorset and Somerset.

Dozens of firefighters spent the day managing to bring the blaze under control and salvage the roof from being completely destroyed.

The A-road which passes next to the pub through the village of Wilmington remained shut all day.

At 5.25pm, an update from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue stated: "Steady progress is still being made, crews are finalising the stripping of thatch from the roof and preparing to cover it with salvage sheets."

A final inspection was carried out at 10.30pm with the fire investigation confirming the cause to be accidental.

One Wilmington local posted on social media: "Thank you so much to the amazing fire crews that attended to the fire at our local pub in Wilmington today.

"Thankfully they saved the whole thatch roof going up, and they also saved the new play area, that the new owners had been working on so hard, during lockdown.

"It was just so tragic to watch and I feel so sorry for the new owners."

The incident had people reflecting on a previous major fire at The White Hart also involving the thatched roof.

In 2004 the pub had to be rebuilt following extensive fire damage to the premises.