Video and pictures: Over 30 firefighters tackle huge blaze at derelict Shropshire pub
Over 30 firefighter have been tackling a huge fire at the derelict pub in Waters Upton, near Newport, overnight.
The pub, formerly The Swan Inn, was ablaze shortly before 1am this morning and fire crews from Bridgnorth, Hodnet, Shrewsbury, Telford, Telford Central, Tweedale and Wellington were all on scene.
The A442 where the pub is located was blocked overnight while fire crews worked on scene.
It is not known how the fire started and there are no reports of injuries.
Jill Williams lives in a house right next to the pub with her son 35-year-old Richard, who has Down's Syndrome, and she said she was woken at just before 1am by a neighbour.
She said: "So I came out and saw that smoke was pouring from under the eaves of the old pub – there was a lot of smoke.
"The front of the pub is inaccessible, so I showed the fire brigade the rear entrance to it.
"At one stage I had about ten hoses running past my house and up towards the Lion Pub, because the nearest water was about 100-yards away."
Phil Beckett, 61, is due to move into his new house only 15 yards from the pub tomorrow.
The Swan Court development is newly constructed and Mr Beckett will be the first resident to move in.
He said: "I came here at 7.45am and it was quite a shock to see the blackened pub and the fire engines.
"I have moved most of my things into the house and me and my wife Judy will still be moving in tomorrow."
Fire crew manager Mark Millward said: "We are here with a building inspector from the council checking that the building is safe, and we have started an investigation into what caused this fire."
This is the second time in two months the pub has been on fire. Police and the fire service also reported there had been an arson attack on the pub back in in August.
