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Fire at 600-year-old coaching inn Fire burns down 600-year-old inn
(1 day later)
Fire crews are battling to save a 15th Century thatched coaching inn which caught fire in a Devon market town. A fire has destroyed much of a 15th Century thatched coaching inn in Devon.
Twelve fire appliances were called to the George Hotel in Market Street, Hatherleigh at about 2115 GMT. Twelve fire appliances and two aerial platforms were called to the Grade II-listed George Hotel in Hatherleigh at about 2115 GMT on Tuesday.
Only a small number of people were thought to be inside when the alarm was raised and no-one was believed to be missing, the fire service said. The bar was thought to have been open at the time, but no-one is believed to have been injured. People were evacuated from nearby homes.
Firefighters attempting to bring the blaze under control are expected to remain at the scene until the morning. The roof was completely destroyed and the rest of the two-storey building severely damaged, fire crews said.
A spokesman for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said: "The crews are trying to carry out salvage and rescue as much furniture and property as they can from the hotel. Safety concerns
The George is a major building in Hatherleigh Eyewitness Firefighters attempting to bring the blaze under control stayed at the cob-walled building in Market Street overnight.
"The initial call came from the premises but no-one has been reported injured or missing. Building control officers from West Devon Borough Council were called in to assist emergency crews at about 0100 GMT.
"Fire crews will be there most of the night." The town centre was closed and an emergency rest centre set up in the Hatherleigh Community Centre for those affected, Devon and Cornwall Police said.
A spokesman for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said crews were trying to rescue as much furniture and property as they could.
The fire service said: "The initial call came from the premises but no-one has been reported injured or missing."
The cob-walled building is thought to have opened in about 1450
One eyewitness, who asked not to be named, said: "I can see the flames, it's quite serious.One eyewitness, who asked not to be named, said: "I can see the flames, it's quite serious.
"The bar was open but not a lot of people were in there, which was quite lucky."The bar was open but not a lot of people were in there, which was quite lucky.
"The George is a major building in Hatherleigh.""The George is a major building in Hatherleigh."
The hotel has 11 guest rooms, but it is not known if anyone was staying there at the time.The hotel has 11 guest rooms, but it is not known if anyone was staying there at the time.
The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.
Councillor Dennis Bater, who represents Hatherleigh on the borough council, said it was a "huge loss to the town".
The council's head of building control, Roger Collins, said: "We are trying to preserve as much of the building as possible but safety is our prime concern."