A PUB landlord said staff are “devastated” by a fire which saw guests evacuated from the 500-year-old property.
Firefighters rushed to The Marlborough Head in Dedham after its kitchen went up in smoke at about 4.45am on Monday.
Landlord Tom West said patrons who were asleep upstairs were awoken by the alarm and the venue’s porter manager and brought to safety outside in Mill Lane.
The Grade II* Listed Marlborough was back serving drinks on Tuesday but works to refurbish the kitchen continue.
Mr West said: “It is devastating as we work so hard and tirelessly to keep pushing the business forward.
“We have had some offers of support both to help with cleaning up and with other bits going forward.
“It is very humbling and kind. We have done lots of work previously in the communities of Dedham and Manningtree and now they are there for us and it makes a big difference.”
The landlord, who acquired the 15th Century pub in 2017, said neighbouring businesses are helping to fill the gaps with food provision while staff work to reopen the kitchen.
Mr West said “hundreds of litres” of water poured into the room due to fire damage, thankfully preventing the flames from spreading.
“I think we got lucky,” he added. “But we don’t want to be in this state of waiting for long.
“For the time which works with me it is devastating and horrible.
“This is our busiest time of year. We have been doing a lot of preparation work and that has all gone in a flash.”
The blaze comes not long after extensive £300,000 refurbishment works were completed at the end of 2021.
At the time Mr West said the venue was in dire need of attention and worked to save it for the residents.
He continued: “The support we have received demonstrates the importance of pubs in communities.
“It is devastating when a pub is taken from a community and can no longer be there for people to enjoy.
“We are planning to reopen the kitchen and I can’t wait for that day to come.”
An Essex County Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said the cause of the fire has been recorded as accidental.
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