Blaze that left Michelin-starred pub in ‘ashes’ treated as arson
A FIRE in a Michelin starred restaurant which reduced the 14th-century inn to “ashes” was arson, police have said.
The Star Inn at Harome near Helmsley, North Yorkshire, was devastated by a blaze which started at 10pm on Wednesday evening.
More than 40 firefighters tackled the fire at the thatched pub, which is regularly featured in lists of the best restaurants and gastropubs, and specialist investigators were called in to carry out inquiries. North Yorkshire Police said yesterday they believe the fire was started deliberately.
Chef patron Andrew Pern, who has run the restaurant for 25 years, said the business had been “reduced to ashes” after the thatched roof provided the perfect fuel for the fire.
Staff managed to retrieve rare and valuable Mouseman furniture from the restaurant, which Mr Pern said will take around a year to rebuild owing to a shortage of specialist thatchers and materials. In the meantime, he has redeployed staff to work at his other restaurants in York and Whitby.
“It is the history of the place that cannot be replaced,” Mr Pern said after the incident.
“The fire was in the thatch and the problem with thatch is once it starts it is very difficult to put it out.
“All you can do is watch it burn. The staff did an amazing job. The barman even used a hose from the cellar to try to put it out.
“But there was quite a breeze and it spread, turning the oldest middle part of the restaurant to ashes.”
The Star has held a Michelin star for the majority of Mr Pern’s tenure and was only the second pub to be awarded the prestigious recognition, which it lost in 2011 but regained four years later.
The Star, known for its modern Yorkshire food made primarily from locally sourced seasonal ingredients, is described as “oozing character” by the Michelin guide.
It adds: “While the restaurant side has a plush, luxurious feel, it’s still very much the village local and you’ll find the regulars supping on a pint of bespoke Two Chefs beer in the characterful bar.”
A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: “We’re investigating the serious fire at a restaurant in Harome, and appealing for witnesses and information about the incident.
“Emergency services were called to the fire at The Star Inn, Harome, just before 10.15pm on Wednesday night.
“Following an examination of the scene by police crime scene investigators and fire investigation officers, it’s now believed that the fire was started deliberately.
“A number of groups of people were in the area around the time of the fire, and we’re urging anyone with information about the incident to contact us.”