Arson suspected in pub blaze

A FIRE at a Kingswood pub is being treated as a suspected arson attack.

Smoke was spotted coming from the Chequers, on the corner of Lodge Road and Ingleside Road, shortly before 5pm yesterday.

Four fire crews were called and had to break in to the pub, which is currently closed and boarded up.

Once inside ten firefighters, wearing breathing apparatus to protect them from thick smoke, spent about an hour and 40 minutes extinguishing flames around the building.

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Avon Fire and Rescue Service spokesman Darren Bane said there had been concerns that people were inside but no one was found.

Mr Bane said fires had started in more than one part of the pub, leading officers to conclude that the blaze had been started deliberately.

Police were called and forensic investigators could be seen at the site during the evening.

Photography student Marcus Lovell, 41, lives nearby and took the picture shown above.

He said: "It has been empty for a while but there was a sign up saying it would be opening again.

"There have always been cars in the car park so it has never looked completely abandoned."