Flames tore through the long-empty Farriers Arms
Firefighters search inside the Farriers Arms after the blaze(Image: Bristol Live)
A fire that ripped through a long-abandoned pub in Fishponds is being treated as arson, with Morrisons confirming it is assisting police with their investigation.
Emergency services were called to the scene at the derelict Farriers Arms on Fishponds Road at 7.30pm on Friday, June 20, after reports of a large blaze.
Crews from Temple, Kingswood, Bath, Bedminster, Southmead and Hicks Gate rushed to the scene to find the disused building engulfed in flames.
Firefighters used water jets, hose reels and a turntable ladder to tackle the blaze. Four wore breathing apparatus to fight the fire from outside the property.
Gas and electricity supplies were isolated for safety, and the incident was scaled back later that evening.
Fishponds Road remained closed until around 10pm while emergency crews brought the fire under control.
The Farriers Arms pub has suffered serious damage in the fire(Image: Bristol Live)
Crews returned to the site shortly after 5am the following morning to reinspect the building and cool down any hotspots using thermal imaging cameras.
Avon Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the fire was believed to have been started deliberately. A spokesperson said: “Upon arrival, crews found the building well alight. Crews used water jets, and hose reels alongside the turn table ladder to project water onto the fire. Four firefighters wore breathing apparatus to control the fire from the exterior of the property.
“The gas and electricity were isolated to make sure the property was safe. Firefighters were then able to scale back the incident and a reinspection of the property was booked due to the nature of the incident.”
They added that firefighters returned the next morning and “used thermal imaging cameras to check for hotspots and dampen down any possible hazards at the scene using the turntable ladder”.
The pub has been derelict for around 15 years, despite local efforts to revive it. It sits adjacent to a Morrisons supermarket.
A Morrisons spokesperson said: “We won’t be making a comment other than to thank the emergency services and say we are supporting the police with their inquiry.”