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BREAKING NEWS: Fox & Hounds pub torched in 'arson' attack

10:29pm Thursday 9th July 2009 in


Fifty five firefighters from across Oxfordshire were called to tackle a raging blaze at the derelict Fox & Hounds pub on the corner of Abingdon Road, Oxford, tonight.

Oxfordshire fire and rescue received several calls from worried members of the public around 7pm after the pub was seen alight.

It was initially thought squatters were living inside the building.

However, no one was found.

The roof and first floor of the building have been left totally destroyed.

Tonight, a spokesman for Thames Valley Police confirmed a man in his late 50s had been arrested on suspicion of arson and was being held in custody.

Ten firefighters forced their way into the pub, which has been purchased by Tesco and was soon to open soon as a Metro store.

Incident commander, firefighter Pete Cleary, said: "This was a fortunate incident in that there was nobody inside the building.

"Fire crews acted swiftly to extinguish the fire and search the building very quickly.

"Thankfully, there was nobody inside.

"This was a good result - but it could have been a lot worse." Police have closed the junction of Abingdon Road and Weirs Lane and diversions are currently in place.

Comments(9)

atlantic_drifter says...
11:45pm Thu 9 Jul 09

Spontanous combustion appears to becoming contagious on The Abingdon Road. Perhaps if we had an investigative journalist they may investigate?

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Going_Digital says...
12:50am Fri 10 Jul 09

How convenient for Tesco that a building they would rather demolish gets destroyed by fire so no local residents will complain about it being pulled down.

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Old zimner says...
3:30am Fri 10 Jul 09

Hopefully we will have a bright new Tesco even sooner now. But if the folks on Abingdon road who are so against tesco had used the pub, this wouldn't have happened.

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MelStar85 says...
4:25am Fri 10 Jul 09

My gosh! U really want a new tescos to come along? What is the world coming too? I lived and worked at the Fox and Hounds for 4 years and have MANY happy happy memories there. It definitly had it's bad days but it was still a great place and holds a lot of life to many people. This is a sad thing. x

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Dilligaf2008 says...
6:59am Fri 10 Jul 09

I never used the Fox & Hounds, but it looked to be a nice place, but in the wrong place, if you get my meaning;- limited parking for meals etc.
I look forward to the arrival of Tesco, and I'm also awaiting the opening of Aldi, a retailer I have used for over 20 years (Germany & UK).
Arson does appear to be on the increase though unfortunately.

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Zimmer says...
8:49am Fri 10 Jul 09

Dilligaf2008 wrote:
I never used the Fox & Hounds, but it looked to be a nice place, but in the wrong place, if you get my meaning;- limited parking for meals etc. I look forward to the arrival of Tesco, and I'm also awaiting the opening of Aldi, a retailer I have used for over 20 years (Germany & UK). Arson does appear to be on the increase though unfortunately.
It was in the right place and a good community pub for Cold Arbour (as was the Farriers Arms a bit to the south next door to the Rivermead) until the roads took precedence over everything else ie Donnington Bridge Road. It then became un viable and has gone down hill ever since then.

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Quentin Walker says...
8:50am Fri 10 Jul 09

There's a lot of arson about on the Abingdon Road...

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Vestan Pance says...
10:24am Fri 10 Jul 09

Ironic that the people who mourn the closing of the Fox & Hound pub and are against the Tesco Metro opening, probably never stepped foot in the pub but will frequently use the convenience of the new Tesco store!

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tribalamazonian says...
6:49pm Fri 10 Jul 09

I might remind you that pub was at the epicentre of major flooding two years ago, most definitely affecting its use as a pub again, but no, any excuse for the anti-Tesco lobby to come out and snipe.

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