FIRE broke out in a historic West Dorset pub yesterday.

Fire crews from Bridport and Beaminster raced to the scene at the Greyhound in Beaminster Square after the blaze took hold in the kitchen.

The fire spread to a first floor bedroom and landing as the crews fought the fire wearing breathing apparatus.

Incident commander Mark Greenham, commander of the Beaminster station, said the call came at 8.10am and the fire started in the kitchen and spread to a first floor bedroom and landing but was brought under control quickly.

The cause of the fire was being investigated, he said.

The building next door, All Together Care, was also partially damaged by the fire.

Landlady Sally Stanner and her family got out of the building before the brigade arrived and while firemen were damping down and making sure it was safe they were given shelter in the nearby Red Lion.

Wayne Causley, from Palmers brewery, said they were still in their pyjamas and were too shocked to speak.

He said: “But everyone is safe and so are the family pets. The gerbils were carried to safety but there is no sign of the cat, which must have run off.”

Daughter Sophie Stanner, 17, who watched as firemen worked on the building, said she had rushed back from her childcare job in Charmouth after her sister Vicky called.

“I was at work at 8.30am and I got a phone call from my sister saying the house had burned down. We are not allowed inside.”

The road was closed from both directions and police were diverting traffic around the Square.