A fire at The Hippodrome pub in Market Drayton, Shropshire, prompted drinkers and diners to evacuate as up to 50 firefighters responded to the scene. The blaze, which originated from an open fire, led to the historic building’s evacuation, originally a cinema built in 1927.
Witnesses described the unfolding event as smoke emerged from the fire pit, prompting customers to move away for safety. The fire alarm then sounded, and everyone was safely evacuated from the premises. The fire service quickly arrived at the scene and managed to control the fire, which was extinguished by 3:30 pm.
The fire investigation revealed that the accidental fire was caused by hot embers from the open fire dropping through a defect in the fireplace, igniting the wooden floor and supporting timbers. Fortunately, there were no casualties reported. The fire damage primarily affected the floor, walls, and ceiling in the raised seating area.
The management and staff of The Hippodrome were praised for their swift and professional evacuation efforts. While some firefighters remained on-site for cleanup, contractors were scheduled to assess and repair any damages. The pub was expected to resume normal operations the following day.
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