VILLAGERS have praised the “fantastic” work of firemen who saved their pub from being destroyed.

More than 30 firefighters were called to The Fox Inn, Denchworth, near Wantage, at 8.45pm, on Saturday following reports of a chimney fire. The blaze spread to the thatched roof of the Greene King pub and five fire crews were called in.

Firemen from Wantage, Abingdon and Oxford stripped away thatch and made a fire break to stop it spreading.

Incident commander Mike Adcock said: “This quick action saved 99 per cent of the thatch roof with approximate 20 square metres of thatch removed by crews. We are really pleased our swift actions saved this vital and wonderful village pub.”

Pub front of house manager Camille Hilton said the fire service had done a “tremendous” job and the pub was open as usual.

Mary O’Sullivan, who lives opposite the pub in Hyde Road said: “They did a fantastic job, it is a lovely pub.”

The fire happened days after the pub had its roof reridged, a two-week project that needs to be done halfway through the 30-year life of a thatched roof.

Scaffolding used by Parkinsons Master Thatchers was still up around the chimney end of the pub and firefighters were able to make use of it. The company’s Ian Parkinson said the repairs would take two of his employees about a week.

Thames Valley Police said the fire was not being treated as suspicious.

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