The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Derelict pub up in flames after arson attack
A derelict pub in Peterborough went up in flames after being torched in an arson attack.
Smoke could be seen from a mile away after the large fire at the former Silver Jubilee pub in Heltwate, Bretton, on Friday night.
Fire crews were called in from Dogsthorpe, Stanground, Yaxley and Whittlesey, while the Peterborough Volunteer Fire Brigade and the Multistar Aerial Appliance also helped with the blaze.
The Multistar, which has a ladder that can extend to a height of 31 metres, was used as a water tower.
The crews were called out just before 8.45pm last Friday and were tackling the blaze until the early hours of the morning.
The building was then reinspected hours later when it was discovered that it was an arson attack which had caused the fire.
Photos from the morning after the blaze showed huge damage to the former pub.
People commenting on the Peterborough Telegraph Facebook page were sad to see what had happened to the Silver Jubilee.
Garry Colbert said: “Had some good times in there... shame someone didn’t take it over and bring it back to life.”
Martin Tillyer said: “Really sad to see this had good times there.”
The Silver Jubilee is not the first derelict pub to be torched recently.
Last June the Cherry Tree in Oundle Road, which had only closed the November before, went up in flames, causing the road to close in one direction.
Anyone with information on the arson at the Silver Jubilee should contact police by visiting www.cambs.police.uk to submit an online report, or by calling 101.
Alternatively, people can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.