The Smoker pub in Plumley to be restored after 'severe' fire

A huge emergency service presence was called to The Smoker in Plumley yesterday after a fire broke out in the 400-year-old pub’s thatched roof.

While the extent of the damage is currently unknown, Robinsons, the brewery who have owned the pub since 1949, believe it is likely to be ‘severe’.

Work will now take place to restore and revive the venue.

William Robinson, managing director of pubs at Robinsons, said: “I’d like to extend my thanks to the nine fire crews of Cheshire Fire and Rescue and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue services who both attended the fire and worked throughout the night to extinguish the flames.

“Alongside the fire crews, The Salvation Army were on site, playing an incredible role in looking after the welfare of the fire crews and others onsite.

“It will take quite some time to fully understand the level of damage that has been done, but we suspect it to be quite severe.”

FOLLOW: Live updates as firefighters investigate cause of blaze at 400-year-old pub

Emergency services at the scene of the fire (Image: Henry Baxendell)

The fire broke out at around 5.30pm on Wednesday (October 23).

Smoke and flames were spotted around the base of one of the chimney stacks, in the thatched roof at the front of the building.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service sent engines from Middlewich, Winsford, Northwich, and Macclesfield to the scene.

They were joined there by two Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service engines, from Irlam and Altrincham, and an aerial ladder platform from Lymm and the Scorpion High Reach Extending Turret  plus relief crews from Chester, Penketh and Crewe.

Crews evacuated the pub as Cheshire Police officers closed the A556 and the M6 slip roads at junction 19.

Firefighters worked throughout the night tackling the flames, with a cordon put in place around the 16th century building due to the integrity of its four chimneys.

Thankfully, nobody was injured and two cats rescued from the property have been reunited with their owner.

Firefighters remained in attendance throughout the night (Image: Neil Pearson)

Mr Robinson has been on-site this morning (October 24) to meet with Darren Crawford, Robinsons’ pub partner who operates The Smoker under the Broadoak Pub Company.

The two firms will be working together with insurers to ‘fully understand what will be required to restore the pub to its former glory’.