Counting cost of pub inferno

Bosses at a pub which recently underwent a £1m revamp are today counting the cost of a huge blaze which ripped through the premises.
Aftermath of a fire at the Grill & Grain Pub at Boatyard, Bolton Rd, near HoghtonAftermath of a fire at the Grill & Grain Pub at Boatyard, Bolton Rd, near Hoghton
Aftermath of a fire at the Grill & Grain Pub at Boatyard, Bolton Rd, near Hoghton

More than 60 firefighters and eight fire engines were needed to quell the inferno at The Grill and Grain at the Boatyard in Riley Green, Hoghton, as the flames tore through its roof and interior.

The cause of the blaze is under investigation.

John Taylor, Lancashire Fire and Rescue spokesman, said: “The building was engulfed in flames and lots of it is destroyed. Thankfully no-one was trapped in the building and there were no injuries.”

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The popular bar and restaurant had only re-opened in November after a £1m transformation, including a large wood-fired grill and microbrewery.

Eight engines and two cherry-pickers spent hours at the scene.

Gallons of water were hosed on to the building with crews pumping from the nearby canal.

A dam was set up along the edge of the building to prevent any pollution re-entering the water.

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Staff stood shivering outside as they watched their place of work go up in smoke. The roof collapsed as trusses were burnt through.

Mr Taylor added: “The cause of the fire is unknown and luckily no one was hurt.

“We had more than 60 firemen and women there but the roof and lots of the inside has been destroyed by the fire.

“An investigation into how it started won’t begin until it’s safe to enter the building which could take some time.”

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The blaze comes just months after the popular pub was given a £1m refurbishment, with a grand re-opening taking place in November.

The transformation included a large wood-fired grill and microbrewery –both of which went up in flames yesterday. Eyewitness James Ballard said: “The roof is like a shell, totally burnt out, I think it will have to be demolished.”

Another onlooker said: “The big pub is in flames, it’s entirely gone.”

Writing on social media yesterday, a spokesman from The Grill and Grain at the Boatyard said: “We are currently working with Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service after a fire started at Grill and Grain at The Boatyard in Riley Green at around 11.45am.

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“As you can appreciate, our priority is the safety of our guests and staff, and as soon as the fire was discovered everyone was immediately evacuated. The fire service is still at the scene so we can’t comment further at this time.”