Star Inn at Harome fire ‘started deliberately’

02-Dec-2021 - Last updated on 02-Dec-2021 at 16:47 GMT

Ongoing enquiries: police have appealed for information relating to the incident (image: Getty/ BrianAJackson)

A fire at Michelin-starred the Star Inn at Harome in North Yorkshire is believed to have been started deliberately, according to a police statement.

The blaze broke out last month (24 November) at the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropub, which is run by chef-patron Andrew Pern.

A statement from North Yorkshire Police said it was investigating a serious fire at the venue and appealed for witnesses and information about the incident.

It added: “Emergency services were called to the fire at the Star Inn, Harome just before 10.15pm on Wednesday 24 November 2021.

“Following an examination of the scene by police crime scene investigators and fire investigation officers, it is now believed the fire was started deliberately."

Community thanked

The statement said: “A number of groups of people were in the area around the time of the fire and police are urging anyone with information about the incident to contact them.

“Please call North Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting reference 12210248468.

“You can also pass information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or go to their website.

“Officers would like to thank members of the local community for their support, assistance and understanding while the emergency services dealt with the fire.”

More than half a dozen fire engines tackled the fire, and a statement from North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service said all occupants of the property were out on arrival of crews.

Reduced to ashes

At its height, the 45 firefighters from crews in the surrounding areas including Helmsley, Kirkbymoorside and Pickering with the aerial ladder platform from Huntington battled the blaze.

In the early hours of Thursday 25 November, 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.”

Pern told BBC Radio York he was told “the thatch was on fire” on Wednesday 24 November 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.”