Suffolk pub forced to close following roof fire
A pub in Suffolk has been forced to close temporarily after an electrical fault caused a fire in the building's roof.
The family-owned Metcalfe Arms in Hawstead was forced to close yesterday (19th January) following the outbreak of the blaze at around 9.25am.
Fire crews tackled the flames with two hose reel jets and sported breathing apparatus in order to enter the building and check to see if anyone was trapped inside.
Manager Amanda Sadler told the Bury Free Press: "We certainly won't be open for business this evening. It's too early to say what damage has been done."
Ms Sadler added that the fire in the roof left the upper rooms of the 17th century pub waterlogged with water dripping into the bars.
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, a 'suitable and sufficient' fire risk assessment must be conducted on all commercial properties in England and Wales.
If a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is not carried out, the Responsible Person faces up to two years in prison or an unlimited fine.
Posted by Ryan Stevens
