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From the
https://www.kentonline.co.uk 10 October 2022. By Natasha Anderson.
Huge blaze destroys one of Kent's oldest pubs: Flames rip through
11th century Dirty Habit as residents are evacuated from nearby homes.
A huge blaze has destroyed one of the oldest pubs in Kent and forced
community members to evacuate their homes.
Flames ripped through the 11th century Dirty Habit pub in
Hollingbourne overnight and crews are still working the scene this
morning.
Photographs show the beloved pub, once used as an inn by monks on
their way to Canterbury, now in ruins after the inferno raged through
the building.
No injuries were reported, but roads surrounding the pub will remain
closed off for several hours while officials investigate. It is unclear
at this time what caused the fire to ignite.
Meantime, residents previously excited for the Dirty Habit's upcoming
winter menu, which was unveiled just hours before the fire, say they are
'so sad to see such a piece of history destroyed.'
Photographs show the beloved pub, once used as an inn by monks on
their way to Canterbury, now in ruins after the inferno raged through
the building.
Firefighters worked through the night after a blaze broke out at The
Dirty Habit pub in Upper Street around 8.23pm on Sunday.
Residents at nearby properties were ordered to evacuate. It is unclear
if any neighbouring properties suffered damage from the fire.
At the height of the blaze, 12 fire crews working the scene. Three fire
engines and a height vehicle remain on scene this morning.
Officials have closed off nearby roads as they work the scene. Locals
are asked to avoid Upper Street, Pilgrims Way and Hollingbourne Hill.
Fire crews expect the road closures to last several hours.
Videos from passer-by Luke Stroud captured the progression of the
furnace as giant plumes of smoke billowed from the roof and windows of
the historic building in the night.
Bystanders watched as flames begin to light up the inside of the windows
as the fire gathers force, despite fire fighters trying to quell the
blaze.
Fire-fighting foam completely covers the black Tudor beams of the next
door building lit up by emergency service lights. This morning
photographs showed the pub's windows blown out and roof blown off.
Residents at nearby properties were ordered to evacuate. It is unclear
if any neighbouring properties suffered damage from the fire, however
officials note no one was injured.
Fortunately no one was reported injured but heartbroken customers took
to Facebook to recount their shock.
The Dirty Habit dates back to the 11th century, with parts of the
historic building being nearly 1,000 years old, according to the pub's
website. The Dirty Habit in Hollingbourne is now run by pub chain Elite.
The pub was seemingly loved by locals who now say they are devastated
that the historic eatery is gone.
Glenda Dennett, who has lived opposite the Dirty Habit for more than 50
years, said people were in tears when homes were evacuated as the blaze
took hold of the pub last night.
She said: 'I was watching Strictly when my grandson came running in from
playing his PlayStation and said the Dirty Habit is on fire.
'We went out and the flames were terrible.
'They were so high and began spreading across the pub.
'I saw through the bottom window the fire was spreading in the main
dining area.
'The flames just shot up through the back and became so high. It was so
bad.
'People were in tears getting evacuated and haven't been able to go back
to their homes yet.'
Ms Dennett said the smoke billowing from the blaze at the 11th century
pub meant they could barely see what was happening.
She added: 'It was lucky it didn't spread to the Tudor house next door
as that's less than a metre away from the pub.
'I've been here since 1964 and never seen anything like this.'
She also praised the fire service for doing 'an amazing job'.
She added: 'They were incredible.'
University lecturer John Wills, who lives a couple of homes down from
the pub, said: 'We heard people screaming and shouting just before 9pm
but thought it was just some drunk people.
'They were spraying foam over the homes nearby to make sure they didn't
go up. They did an amazing job.
'We could see it from the garden and there was cracking. It sounded like
popcorn was going off.
'All of a sudden it went up like a rocket launch and the fire was just
rising.'
At the height of the blaze, 12 fire crews working the scene. Six fire
engines, a height vehicle, bulk water carrier and other support teams
remain on scene this morning. Pictured: Aerial photo of the pub as seen
on Monday morning.
At the height of the blaze, 12 fire crews working the scene. Six fire
engines, a height vehicle, bulk water carrier and other support teams
remain on scene this morning. Pictured: Aerial photo of the pub as seen
on Monday morning.
One staff member, who did not want to be named, said: 'I live here and
we had to rush out.
'I left my phone and everything inside and we haven't been able to get
through.
'It's absolutely horrible.'
Another villager, who was watching on from the police cordon, said:
'It's such an iconic pub. I've lived here for 50 years and my whole
family worked in there. It's tragic.'
An Elite Pubs spokesman said: 'The Elite Pubs family is truly devastated
by the events that occurred at The Dirty Habit, Hollingbourne yesterday.
'Shortly after 8pm, a fire broke out at our 11th-century pub and
emergency services were called. All staff and customers were evacuated
swiftly and accounted for.
'Unfortunately, there has been significant damage to the pub.
'Each and every one of our pubs is extremely special to us, but the
history of this one holds a very special place.
'The pub has been closed and will remain so until repairs have been
made. Dates for re-opening will be released closer to the time and any
updates will be posted on our website and social media channels.
'We'd like to thank the fire service for their immediate response and to
all who have sent well wishes - we truly appreciate your kind words.
'In true Elite fashion, we'll pick ourselves up from this and return
stronger than ever before and the pub will be restored to its former
glory.
'We ask all of our customers to remain patient as we come to terms with
the event and re-arrange bookings.'
Lisa Margaret Birch posted: 'That's the pub we went to the night Graham
Birch asked me to marry him! So sad to see such a piece of history
destroyed!'
Gillian Smith added: 'Always been one of my favourite places, so sad to
read this.'
Jackie Hadaway said: 'It's badly damaged and still burning all the staff
are safe. No one has been hurt. Such a shame as it's a historical
building.'
Claire, taking to Twitter, added: 'So sad. This is an 11th Century pub
in my home town. Right on the Pilgrim's Way and of great historical
significance...Another fabulous business in trouble.'
Another social media user, Mike, sad the Dirty Habit was one of his
'favourite restaurants' and that he is 'particularly sad as it dated
back to the 11th Century and was used by Canterbury Pilgrims.'
'Hopefully it will be rebuilt,' he urged.
Twitter user Henry added: 'Learning the Dirty Habit burnt down last
night has ruined my day.'
Another person said it was a 'shame' that the pub was gone.
The historic pub was in the middle of busy Christmas preparations and
the fire broke out on the same day it unveiled its new winter menu.
On the same night just over 40 miles away firefighters tackled a massive
fire at the "Chilton Tavern," Ramsgate, after a loud explosion was
reported. Authorities have not indicated any connection between the two
incidents.
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