Delay in re-opening fire damaged pub

The owner of a fire-ravaged Exeter pub today said it was unlikely to re-open until after Christmas.

A huge blaze tore through The Hole In The Wall in Little Castle Street in June causing thousands of pounds of damage.

Today, owner George Sloan told The Exeter Daily that the clean up operation had taken longer than expected.

"We found quite a lot of asbestos that had to be very carefully removed and that has been a long job," said George.

"However, we are starting to get there now but it's highly unlikely we'll be able to re-open before the new year."

Investigations have been carried out which show that the fire was started by a discarded cigarette which thrown into a bin just outside the pub.

George said he had managed to retrieve some stock but gallons of alcohol had been thrown away.

"It was painful pouring bottles of booze down the drain but there was nothing we could do about it," he added.

George and his business partner, Rob Skinner, only opened the pub a year ago after months of hard work which saw the interior stripped right back and refurbished to exacting standards.

All of the wooden furniture had been made in Mid Devon and expensive artwork, some of it George’s own pride and joy, adorned the walls.

"We'll back in business as soon as we can - and then there will be a party" said George.