June 21st 1994 --- A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

As Dave and Linda were returning from a memorable holiday in Majorca, a drama was about to unfold that could have had tragic consequences. Paul, the relief landlord, was lucky to escape with his life when the Royal Oak caught fire.

Dave well remembers arriving home at 1.45 am and wondering why a fire engine was parked outside the pub. The bar and lounge were gutted and the residential areas smoke-damaged and unusable. 

Luckily for Paul, who escaped unharmed, the fire was spotted by alert neighbours who called the fire brigade. They put the fire out before the flames had reached the first floor where Paul was sleeping.

The cause of the fire was later identified as a cigarette left smouldering behind one of the fixed seats.

 

Friends, neighbours and customers all rallied round to help out but the extent of the damage was such that the Royal Oak took 3 months to rebuild.

 

The bar suffered heat and smoke damage.  Work gets under way as soon as was practicable.

 

Great care was taken to return the building to its former condition - even replacing unusual etched windows with exact copies.

The result is what you see today - a public house returned to the style and ambience that has made it such a favourite with regulars.

The re-opening of the pub was celebrated with friends and helpers.  The local press were there to capture the moment - one of our proudest.

Please click this image for a more detailed picture.