A York pub remains closed following the fire on Friday night (Saturday) – but it should reopen soon.
Fire broke out at the flat above the Bay Horse on Blossom Street at about 10.30pm.
The source of the blaze was an air fryer in the flat of licensee Lorna Turnbull and her partner Jack.
Lorna said everyone is safe although she added: “I’ve never been so scared in my life.”
Jack tackled the fire with an extinguisher before firefighters arrived. He was taken to hospital to be checked for possible smoke inhalation. Happily, he’s OK.
Lorna said: “Three guys from the Pizza Choice shop ran straight into help. They were amazing, those lads.
“My partner put the fire out with the extinguishers. I evacuated everyone off site and contacted the fire brigade straight away whilst doing so.
“And the emergency services were amazing. I had a bit of a panic attack and shock, and they were administering first aid to everyone involved – an absolutely fabulous job all round.”
She added: “Also the kindness of our neighbours was fantastic.”
The pub had just closed but there were some people staying in the guest rooms. They were ushered to safety by Lorna.
Lorna’s cat Chico also emerged unscathed. “Our little miracle had managed to hide somewhere less smokey,” she said.
He was a bit shaken, but is recovering after some TLC and lots of Dreamies snacks.
Lorna and Jack’s flat isn’t habitable at the moment so they are staying in one of the guest rooms.
She said she won’t be reopening the Bay Horse until further instruction from the insurers: “Obviously safety is our priority.”
But she expects it to be back open soon.
Lorna’s not sure what caused the fire as they hadn’t used the air fryer all day because they were working.