Serious blaze hits village pub, Teesdale Mercury

A COUPLE who have reopened a village pub nearly saw their dreams go up in smoke after a serious fire took hold upstairs.

Julie and David Hardy last year reopened the Lord Nelson, in Gainford, after it had been on the market for more than a year.

The pub and its takeaway fish and chip service have proved a hit with villagers.

But the couple’s dream was in danger when fire engulfed a first-floor room on Thursday – just as staff were getting ready to open up.

Firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze, which caused severe damage to the room. No one was hurt but fire chiefs say the blaze could have easily spread to the roof.

Watch Manager Kevin Hart said: “There was potential, if we had got there a few minutes later, of it being very serious; a backdraft scenario.

“Time was of the essence and it could have spread to the roof.”

Two fire engines from Darlington attended the pub, which is on the main road, at about 3.30pm.

Everyone inside had escaped and smoke could be seen coming from the building.

Firefighters used four breathing apparatus to bring the blaze under control. “The people in the pub did everything right and got everybody out. The stairs might have been a little hard to find, but they gave us precise instructions,” said Watch Manager Hart. 

Officers believe an open fire in the first-floor room may have caused the blaze.

Mr and Mrs Hardy, who have four children, were not available for comment.