The blaze broke out at the Star at Harome, which is run by chef-patron Andrew Pern at about 10pm on Wednesday 24 November.
In the early hours of this morning, the pub tweeted: “It’s been a long night so far. I’m afraid we won’t be open for a while as we are reduced to ashes with the Star on fire and still burning.”
Fire service statement
In an update at 9am today (Thursday 25 November), North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service said: “There are still seven fire engines and an aerial ladder platform in attendance at this incident.
“Crews are continuing to remove the thatched roof and are being assisted by a farmer with a telehandler.”
At 8.30am, the fire service stated fire crews from Helmsley, Kirkbymoorside and Pickering along with the aerial ladder platform from Huntington were called to a fire in a thatched roof at just after 10pm last night (Wednesday 24 November) in Harome.
The statement added: “All occupants of the property were out on arrival of crews. Crews have been at the scene overnight and at its peak, there were nine fire engines, one aerial ladder platform, one water bowser, one welfare unit and an incident command unit in attendance."
No cause
It said: “Crews worked with main jets and hose reel jets to contain the fire and the aerial ladder platform was deployed to remove thatch from the roof.
“The incident was scaled back to seven fire engines and the aerial ladder platform at about 5.45am. There is no cause at this time but fire investigation officers will be attending the incident this morning.”
Pern told BBC Radio York he was told “the thatch was on fire” on Wednesday night. He added: “The crook frame has just about gone, [the roof] is probably about three or four feet deep of straw so if you’re a fire, it’s perfect.
“It’s one of those risks that comes with a thatched property, once it took a grip it didn’t really stand a chance.”
The Morning Advertiser contacted Pern for more information.
