Kentish Express Ashford & District
Fire crew and hotel staff save couple’s big day
Fire caused by electrical fault
Firefighters and quick-thinking staff saved a couple’s wedding day after a fire broke out at a pub.
The Five Bells Inn in The Street, Brabourne, was engulfed in smoke as electric intake cables, which come from outside the building, caught alight in a cupboard at the back of the restaurant.
The bride and groom, Anna and Will Bell, and their party were enjoying a pre-wedding meal when firefighters from Ashford dashed in and took control of the situation at 8.50pm last Friday.
Crew manager Mike Blundred said: “People were still eating, they still had their food on the table.”
Guests were evacuated when deputy manager Memo Sharm heard a crackling sound.
As the sound got louder, he said, he went to the cupboard, which was behind a table of people eating, before seeing a small flame inside.
Diners and guests were removed from the premises within minutes, he said.
The staff had already tried to tackle the fire but it spread to the bedroom above.
It had been let out to the bride and groom and suits, champagne and the speeches were all in the room.
The firefighters arrived half an hour later and watch manager Clive Douglas began gathering information about how the fire had started.
Owner John Rogers was in the affected bedroom attempting to cool the area down.
Mr Blundred said: “There were about five or six suit bags.
“We salvaged all of their suits and they still got married the next day.
“We gave them their suits and the owner assisted them in finding somewhere else to stay for the night.
“We also saved t heir speeches, presents and even the champagne. They cheered when we brought it down.”
Firefighters waited for the UK Power Network to arrive before leaving the pub at 1am.
Staff managed to get the bridal party, a group of eight in total, rooms at the Ashford International Hotel in Simone Weil Avenue.
Members of green watch went to meet the newlyweds to congratulate them.
The ceremony took place at Brabourne Church on Saturday and their reception was held in Aldington.
Mr Blundred said when the crew arrived the fire had the potential to spread.
He said: “If the fire had grown they wouldn’t have had their suits, the crew were using their initiative.” Memo Sharm said: “They had a meal here and they were supposed to be staying over the night after their wedding.
“There was just smoke in the room. The groom texted me later that day to say he hoped we’d get everything sorted.”
An electrician was brought in on Saturday to install a new fuse box. The bedroom will also need redecorating due to smoke damage.
The pub said a power surge from the electrics outside the property could have caused the incident, but this has not been confirmed.
The 400-year-old pub managed to relocate guests that were booked to stay while it was shut.
It closed its doors to the public until yesterday (Wednesday), but has since re-opened.