Portsmouth pub stays open despite blaze

Steve Welch said he will keep open The Royal, in Commercial Road, Portsmouth, after a fire hit it yesterday afternoon.

Firefighters were called at 4.44pm to a blaze on the roof.

Damage has been caused to the roof space and the cause is under investigation but Mr Welch said he thinks it started due to an electrical fault.

He told The News: ‘Winston Churchill never shut London in the Blitz, so The Royal will carry on because it’s a community pub.

‘We’re up and running, we’re still going.’

Two crews from Southsea, and its aerial ladder platform, and one pump from Cosham attended the blaze. A jet, two hose reels and four breathing apparatus were used.

Nearby traffic was delayed during the fire.