Timepiece open as usual
Exeter's Timepiece nightclub is open as usual despite a huge blaze at the nearby Hole In The Wall pub.
George Sloan, who owns both venues, told The Exeter Daily it would be business as usual at the popular nightspot.
Fire crews were called out to the Hole In The Wall at 4.21am on Friday June 20 but the blaze was so severe that 12 appliances were needed to tackle the flames.
George (pictured above) told us the situation was under control but he hadn't seen the full extent of the damage yet.
"It's devastating. We had put a lot of work into that building and much of it has been undone." he added.
The flames were initially spotted by Exeter City Council CCTV operators.
The pub was empty at the time and no one was hurt.
The Hole In The Wall was only opened 12 months ago by George and his business partner Rob Skinner.
It had become a popular venue with sports fans, particularly rugby followers, and counted a number of Exeter Chiefs players among its regulars.
The Exeter Daily was given a tour of the building just days ago when George told us about his ambitious plans for the venue.
He had moved into serving gourmet hotdogs and stocking local beer and ciders.
Just a few weeks ago Westcountry favourites the Wurzels played at the official first year anniversary party.
Below is the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue report from the incident:
Two fire appliances from Danes Castle, one from Middlemoor and the aerial ladder platform from Danes Castle were sent to a report of a fire involving a building at the above location.
On arrival crews requested a further two appliances and so one from Topsham and one from Crediton were sent on along with the Incident Command Unit from Honiton.
On arrival crews requested a further two appliances and so one from Topsham and one from Crediton were sent on along with the Incident Command Unit from Honiton.
Update 04:40 6 Breathing Apparatus, 1 main jet and 3 hose reels in use.
Update 04:49 Request from the incident for a further three appliances to attend. Another appliance from Crediton, one from Ottery St Mary and one from Cullompton were sent on.
Update 05:16 Request from the incident to make total of appliances attending 12. Another four were sent on and these came from Newton Abbot, Exmouth and two from Tiverton. Also sent to the incident was the Environmental Protection Unit from Newton Abbot and the Welfare and Catering Unit from Ivybridge.
Update 05:28 Building measuring 25 m x 25 m consisting of two storeys and a basement. Fire spread to roof space.
Update 06:13 Fire in rear of premises on multi levels. 10 breathing apparatus, 3 hose reel jets, 2 main jets, 2 covering jets and 1 ground monitor in use.
This incident is ongoing and further updates will follow.
Update 09:43 Crews are still at work, making good progress. Crews are using 2 breathing apparatus, turning aover and damping down. The South Western Ambulance HART team are also using 2 sets of their own breathing apparatus.
