Blaze sweeps through inn (From Western Telegraph)

Blaze sweeps through inn

A CHRISTMAS EVE fire gutted a large part of one of Pembrokeshire's best known public houses. The Wiseman's Bridge Inn, a landmark on the South Pembrokeshire coast, went up in flames at 4.21 am on Tuesday. Firefighters took seven hours to bring the blaze under control. No-one was in the 100-year-old-pub at the time. But two families, planning to spend Christmas in adjoining holiday accommodation, were safely evacuated. They were later rehoused by letting agents. The licensee is Margaret Kemble, whose family have run the popular pub for more than 45 years. The business is managed by son Robert and daughters Helen and Jane. Another daughter Karen Howser, of Narberth, said: "It has been a very traumatic time for the family and the worst possible Christmas ever. "It looks as if the fire started in the central heating boiler. My mother and sister live next door to the pub and my other sister lives just behind. Two of my three children, aged seven and 12, were staying the night with my mother, who is partially disabled. Fortunately, they didn't need to be evacuated. But at first, firemen wouldn't let us through to see them because the smoke was so bad." There were also fears that flying debris might hit some other buildings, used to store propane gas for caravans. If that had happened there could have been a massive explosion. Although part of the pub roof has gone, the oldest section of the building is not as badly damaged. "We have had to board everything up because it is unsafe," said Karen Howser. "Hundreds of people turned up to look, but we don't want anyone to get inside. It will take a major rebuild before the pub can be re-opened." She praised firefighters for their efforts. "They did everything they could and managed to save part of the inn. It makes you appreciate how dangerous their job is when they go into a burning building. We would also like to thank everyone who has offered to help in any way," she added. It was the second major fire to hit Wiseman's Bridge in the past two months. The other involved a nearby bungalow occupied by Miss Gwen Jones. Her home was also gutted and she was given a roof over her head by Mrs Margaret Kemble, until she was able to move to a new home. "She had only been in her bungalow a few days when she died," said Karen. "My mother had a phone call on the Saturday before Christmas. She was devastated because Miss Jones had been a neighbour for more than 40 years. It really has been an awful Christmas."