![\"Herve](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/SEC_267354105-6880.jpg\")
\n\t\tHerve Louis Appert has been identified as the man who died following a police standoff in front of a burning pub on Friday (Picture: Facebook)<\/p>\n
\t\t
\n\t\tHerve Louis Appert has been identified as the man who died following a police standoff in front of a burning pub on Friday (Picture: Facebook)<\/p>\n
Tributes have been paid to a pub landlord who died in a fiery standoff with police as his pub exploded in flames behind him<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Herve Louis Appert, who served pints at the 500-year-old Chequers Inn, died from \u2018self-inflicted\u2019 wounds after explosions and fire destroyed his boozer nestled in the Bedfordshire village of Wootton.<\/p>\n Police responded to calls for a welfare check on a man at the Chequers Inn in Wootton at 10.15am on Friday (September 19).<\/p>\n Locals had reported an explosion \u2018shaking the tiles off the roof\u2019 as huge flames took hold and Herve failing to come out.<\/p>\n Police soon discovered that the pub landlord was armed with a crossbow.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tSign up for all of the latest stories\t\t\t<\/p>\n Start your day informed with Metro’s News Updates<\/a><\/strong> newsletter or get Breaking News<\/a> <\/strong>alerts the moment it happens. <\/p>\n Specialist officers, including negotiators, were sent to defuse the situation but when he finally left the pub at 12.45pm he had already sustained self-inflicted injuries, police said.<\/p>\n \t\t The pub landlord was rushed to hospital on Friday but died two days later.<\/p>\n Tributes have poured in on social media<\/a> for Herve, known by his middle name Louis, who was described as a \u2018lovely\u2019 but \u2018complicated\u2019 man.<\/p>\n Regulars said he struggled to get over the death of his beloved border collie Cat who he jokingly named the landlady of the boozer.<\/p>\n One customer, posting to Facebook<\/a>, said: \u2018RIP Louis. Our dog will miss his treats from you when we pass The Chequers. You will always be remembered for those glasses.\u2019<\/p>\n Another said: \u2018Rest in peace Louie thank you for the memories and laughter we had in your company. You were a devoted animal lover and never got over the loss of your beloved dog.\u2019<\/p>\n Others expressed their admiration for his cooking, complimenting Herve\u2019s Yorkshire puddings and roast potatoes.<\/p>\n \t\t One regular said that Herve was always friendly.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u2018Such a lovely man,\u2019 Paul said. \u2018Always welcoming and couldn\u2019t do enough to try and make a go of the Chequers.<\/p>\n \u2018Obviously very troubled but outwardly he hid it very well. Rest in Peace Louis.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t Lianne Poole-wiles, the Chequers former pub landlord, told Metro<\/strong> it was a \u2018beautiful building\u2019 with twisted beams and low ceilings said to have been built in 1520.<\/p>\n \u2018My time at the Chequers was wonderful and it was the hub of the community where people would gather for their daily drink and chat or to celebrate weddings<\/a> and birthdays.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018My children spent their early years in the pub surrounded by the locals who were like family and the saying was always that the Chequers isn\u2019t just a public house, it\u2019s a public home.\u2019<\/p>\n Enquiries are ongoing and the circumstances of the death have been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in line with standard protocol, Bedfordshire<\/a> Police said.<\/p>\n \t\t The historic Grade II listed Bedford pub, which was originally a farmhouse, was completely destroyed by the fire.<\/p>\n A Campaign for Real Ale spokesman said: \u2018The pub is absolutely gone. A chimney is still standing, but not a lot else.\u2019<\/p>\n The building was believed to have been built in the 16th century as a \u2018fine timber-framed public house\u2019.<\/p>\n A Wootton neighbourhood plan hailed the boozer for \u2018its diminutive scale, characterful roof form and large chimney stack which contribute enormously to its appearance and significance for the area\u2019.<\/p>\n The IOPC have been approached for comment.<\/p>\n Samaritans are here to listen, day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org or visit samaritans.org for more information.<\/p>\n Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n For more stories like this, <\/strong>check our news page<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow![\"Crossbow-wielding](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/SEI_267351690-5d62.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe Chequers Inn, of which Herve was the landlord, was ablaze when police arrived on Friday<\/p>\n![\"Crossbow-wielding](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/SEI_267352515-b5dd-e1758646580492.jpg\")
\n\t\tHerve Louis Appert serving roast dinners at The Chequers (Pictures: Facebook)<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/SEI_267351689-8428.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe Chequers Inn was said to date back to 1520 but is no more after a fire destroyed the premises<\/p>\n![\"Bedfordshire](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/SEI_267351777-9132.jpg\")
\n\t\tBedfordshire Fire & Rescue attended the scene but could not save the historic pub<\/p>\n
\nMORE: Man charged on suspicion of arson after fire destroys Sharon Hodgson MP\u2019s offices<\/a><\/p>\n
\nMORE: Person taken to hospital after fire tears through top floor of flats in Battersea<\/a><\/p>\n