SEVENTEEN people had to be evacuated in the early hours of this morning after a raging fire destroyed half of a village pub and hotel.

A fire broke out at the Beckford Arms in Fonthill Gifford just before 2am this morning when a resident raised the alarm after smelling smoke.

All 16 residents staying at the pub and one member of staff were evacuated safely by the time fire crews arrived. At the height of the fire seven crews, about 35 to 45 firefighters, were at the scene.

Although the fire is now out, due to the age and style of the building, crews will remain there until the early afternoon dampening down and making sure the fire is completely out.

The cause of the fire is not yet known but it is believed to have started on the ground floor and quickly spread up through the first floor and into the roof of one side of the building.

Fire crews managed to contain the fire to the one side, with the other side suffering some minor smoke and water damage. Part of the first floor has completely collapsed making fire investigation difficult at this stage as the building is unstable.

A resident in a neighbouring property was also evacuated for safety reasons.

For an in-depth report see the July 22 edition of the Salisbury Journal.