A fire at The Hippodrome pub in Market Drayton, Shropshire, led patrons to quickly vacate the premises as up to 50 firefighters were summoned to combat the flames. The incident, which originated from an open fire, saw eight fire crews arriving at the scene following reports of smoke emanating from the fire pit. The building, initially a cinema established in 1927, faced significant damage as the fire spread rapidly.
John Kirby, dining at the pub with his young daughter, recounted the sudden escalation of events, mentioning the swift evacuation prompted by a customer’s attempt to extinguish the fire. Station manager Craig Jackson praised the timely evacuation efforts, ensuring the safety of all individuals present. The fire, controlled by firefighters equipped with breathing apparatus and hosereel jets, was fully extinguished by 3.30 pm.
An investigation revealed the fire’s accidental cause, attributed to hot embers from the open fire dropping through a defect in the fireplace. Despite damages to the building’s interior, including the floor, walls, and ceiling in the raised seating area, no casualties were reported. JD Wetherspoon confirmed that the fire originated from the open fire within the pub, with plans for repairs and safety checks to be conducted before resuming operations.
The management and staff of The Hippodrome were commended for their efficient response in ensuring a safe evacuation. While the pub remained closed for the evening, preparations were underway to resume normal operations the following day after thorough inspections and repairs.
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