Teen arrested after massive pub fire in Quedgeley

By jennyenews | Friday, August 26, 2011, 03:28

A 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of arson following a massive pub blaze in Quedgeley last night.

Firefighters tackle blaze at the Orchard pub, In Quedgeley.

The Orchard, in Bristol Road, was destroyed as flames ripped through its two floors. A dog is believed to have died in the inferno and a woman escaped. No-one else was hurt.

In all, Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service had 14 vehicles tackling the fire and 48 firefighters. It broke out at about 1.45am and was spotted by passing police patrols who then called the fire service.

Group manager Richard Smith was the firefighter in charge.

He said: "It was well alight when we got here. We had the call saying people were trapped inside but one woman had managed to get out before we arrived and no-one else was in there.

"We were told a dog was inside but haven't recovered anything."

He added: "We will launch a full investigation into how and where it started, the police will launch their own investigation too which will handle any criminal side of things."

Onlookers gathered as fire crews battled to bring the blaze under control, with Bristol Road closed off.

Don't miss Saturday's Citizen for a full round up.

Did you witness the fire or have pictures of the blaze? Email citizen.news@glosmedia.co.uk

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Comments

I agree. Sixteen-year-olds are not the same as children. They shouldn't have the same legal protection. As it is, the law allows people to be totally irresponsible till they turn eighteen, which is ridiculous. If you've ever watched "Young, Dumb and Living Off Mum" on BBC3, you'll know what lack of responsibility leads to. If you've never seen it you'll be gobsmacked when you do!

By Kay_Powell at 14:51 on 28/08/11
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Can someone explain why young people cannot be named for legal reasons? The "they're young and didn't know what they were doing" is a load of rubbish. If they are old enough to do this sort of thing why can't they be named? Why are they protected?
Surely we have the right to know who is living amongst us?

By WhiteKnight at 09:22 on 28/08/11
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majorddf,
I assume that you are referring to the lack of a sprinkler system. That pub was only built around the mid-nineties, as far as I can remember. Fire officers have been begging builders to fit sprinkler systems to such buildings for much longer than that. The only reason that sprinklers aren't fitted routinely is that that would cost a bit extra. It doesn't take hindsight to realise that all new buildings larger than a house should have a sprinkler system fitted as standard. The larger the structure, the more dangerous it is in a fire.

By Kay_Powell at 14:09 on 27/08/11
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I can't believe that they have released this 16yr old. What on earth was he doing???
I hope James and Vicky are ok, my heart goes out to them.

By beckie321 at 22:30 on 26/08/11
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This is a tradegy and my thoughts are with everyone who works at the orchard, I just hope it returns as it's a great place for a family roast!

By Green_daisy at 21:46 on 26/08/11
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