North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue has said a fire at a village pub near Knaresborough this morning was caused by an overheating ice machine.
The Tiger Inn at Coneythorpe looks set to be closed for several weeks after suffering what was its second fire in three years.
Firefighters were summoned at 5.45am this morning.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said in a statement:
“A number of crews attended and found a fire which had started in the kitchen and spread to the bar, toilets and a cloak room.
“Crews used breathing apparatus, four hose reel jets, positive pressure ventilation fans and thermal imaging cameras.
“Everyone was out of the property on the arrival of crews, one person was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation but did not require hospital treatment. The cause of the fire is believed to be an overheating ice machine.”
In a Facebook post, the Tiger Inn said that, while most of the pub building was fine, the kitchen was “not quite as fortunate”.
It added:
“We cannot thank the fire service and paramedics enough for their swift response and incredibly professional manner with which they dealt with the situation.
“The majority of the pub is also fine but the kitchen was not quite as fortunate. In light of this The Tiger will not be open for the next few weeks.”
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In November 2020, fire crews from Harrogate, Knaresborough and Acomb spent six hours battling a blaze at the pub.
The pub underwent 11 months of refurbishment before it reopened in October the following year.
Coneythorpe pub owner criticises lengthy roadworks as pub set to close
The owner of a Coneythorpe pub has criticised a set of month long roadworks as the “final kick we didn’t need”.
The Tiger Inn will close for five weeks in the new year while utility company Power On installs power cables for a new development park comprising industrial and commercial units in the area.
The scheme is expected to last six months and involve five weeks of road closures, starting on January 9, in Flaxby and Coneythorpe.
It is the latest disruption to hit the pub, which has already struggled through covid and a fire in November 2020.
Barbara Gill, who owns the Tiger Inn, said the pub was already dealing with the cost of living crisis – which has seen its energy bills increase to more than £4,000.
She said:
“These road works are the final kick we didn’t need.”
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Ms. Gill told The Stray Ferret that pubs have had to learn how to cope with these national crises such as the pandemic and the now cost-of-living crisis.
She said:
“They’ve had to adapt rapidly.”
Ms Gill added that staff at The Tiger inn will receive full pay to support them while the pub is closed.
However, businesses in the area including the Tiger Inn have not been compensated for the road works.
‘Extensive consultation’
Power On said in a statement it had conducted “extensive consultation” to minimise disruption.
Work will start on York Road in Flaxby and continue onto Shortsill Lane and Moor Lane. It will take place from January 9 to 28 before recommencing on February 22 until March 14.
The company said in a statement that it was “committed to delivering essential works whilst ensuring minimal disruption to local residence and the community”. It added:
“We have been able to avoid further closures by allowing traffic to flow subject to reduced weight limits. Alternative transport for schools will be provided by North Yorkshire County Council.
“We have been working with the local parish council who have assisted in coordinating the works. Road closure signs will include alternate routes to any local businesses affected with advanced warning signs posted in late December.
“The works are to be completed during the winter months, to minimise impact. At the request of the Tiger Inn and the parish council, it was agreed that work will be suspended during potentially busier periods such as Valentine’s, Mother’s Day, and Easter weekend.”
Ms. Gill is hopeful the pub will be able to get back on its feet with the support of their loyal customers around Mother’s Day.
She added:
“We need people to support us when we reopen.”
The Tiger Inn is planning to reopen on February 10.