Firefighters advise on keeping internal doors shut in case of fire after they helped limit damage and helped save the life of a family pet following a pub fire on The Avenue in Hampton this afternoon.
Six fire engines and around 35 firefighters were called to the pub after a passer-by saw flames coming from the first floor of the property. Around twenty people evacuated the pub before the Brigade arrived.
Two male members of staff were treated at the scene by London Ambulance Service.
Richmond Station Manager Alex Stewart, who was at the scene said:
“The first floor and roof of the pub were gutted by fire apart from one bedroom. Fortunately an internal door was kept shut. This helped to prevent the fire spreading to the room and happily a child’s pet hamster was found alive some four hours after the fire started.
“It’s always a good idea to shut doors, as in the event of a fire as this can help to protect property from further damage. As in this case it can hold fire and smoke back for hours.”
The Brigade was called at 1435 and the fire was under control by 1636. Fire crews from Twickenham, Heston, Kingston, Acton, Chiswick and Richmond fire stations were at the scene.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by fire officers and the Police.