Happy ending to Southrepps pub fire

Richard BatsonVillagers rallied round to rescue a beer festival which was hit by a kitchen fire at the host pub.Scores of drinkers and diners were evacuated from the Vernon Arms at Southrepps on Saturday night as the weekend event was in full swing,Firecrews put out the fire, which began in a electricity box and plunged the venue into darkness.Richard Batson

Villagers rallied round to rescue a beer festival which was hit by a kitchen fire at the host pub.

Scores of drinkers and diners were evacuated from the Vernon Arms at Southrepps on Saturday night as the weekend event was in full swing,

Firecrews put out the fire, which began in a electricity box and plunged the venue into darkness.

But locals including farmers dashed off to provide generators, lights and extension leads and within an hour the festival was back on track with emergency power supplies.

Landlord Paul Briggs said the local community had shown 'phenomenal support' both on the night and the following day when they turned up with tea and sausage sandwiches for helpers tidying up.