Derelict pub destroyed by fire

A DERELICT pub in Fawley was almost completely destroyed by fire.

Firefighters were called to the Walnut Tree in Roundhouse Lane at about 3am today (Thursday) but by then the building was an inferno.

Four fire engines, from Henley, Watlington and Wycombe and a water carrier from Buckinghamshire attended.

Paul Herrington, watch manager at Henley station, said: “By the time we arrived the pub was fully involved with the fire, from end-to-end and top to bottom.

“We put a couple of hose reels on it using the water we already had on the pumps while we waited for a constant water supply. Later, we were able to put in a central hydrant and use the water carrier as well.

“It took about an hour to bring the blaze under control but all our work was defensive in trying to stop the fire spreading to the surrounding fields.  It was quite a simple job because we couldn’t do much to protect the building as there was nothing salvageable.

“We wouldn’t have been able to go into the building with a fire this big but also, as it has been derelict for about 20 years, there would be an added danger of it being unsafe. You could potentially have walls falling down.”

The Henley crew left the scene at about 5am, leaving the crews from Buckinghamshire damping down the building to prevent any hot spots reigniting.

The cause of the fire is unknown.       

Picture: Kate Waddington