Fire crews called to blaze at Wetherspoon pub

Firefighters have extinguished a blaze at a Wetherspoon pub in Shropshire.

Crews were called to The Hippodrome in Queen Street, Market Drayton, at about 13:10 GMT after reports a log had fallen out of the fireplace, causing a fire.

Eight appliances, including the aerial ladder platform and the incident command unit, were mobilised and all people were accounted for, the county's fire service stated.

Wetherspoon said it would not open the pub on Saturday evening, but was hopeful once contractors had been out in the evening, it would open as usual on Sunday.

At about 18:30, the company stated it looked like the fire had started from the open fire in the pub and some firefighters were still at the site.

But the fire had not spread anywhere else in the building, it added.

The firm said it was awaiting contractors to check over electrics and gas pipes and start repairs.

The building was originally Market Drayton's first purpose-built cinema, which opened in 1927 and closed in 1966. It later became a bingo hall and then a supermarket.

The fire service had said police were also at the scene and asked people to avoid the area and close windows and doors to avoid smoke.

Eight appliances were mobilised from Hodnet, Market Drayton, Prees, Shrewsbury, Wem, and Whitchurch.

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