Canalside pub destroyed

THE Grill & Grain by the side of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in Chorley has been destroyed in a fire that swept through the building.

There were seven fire engines attempting to control the fire when at its height, with around 50 fire fighters present from various station throughout the county, Alan Tilbury reports.

Quickly evacuated

It was just before noon yesterday (Wednesday) when the fire broke out in the restaurant and quickly spread, with the roof collapsing and the interior completely destroyed in the blaze. At the time customers were arriving for lunch, but were quickly evacuated, so there were no casualties.

The Grill & Grain was the Boatyard before it recently underwent a £1 millions renovation and turned into a microbrewery and restaurant, which makes it heartbreaking for the manager and his staff.

Water from canal

The fire fighters used water from the canal to douse the flames, with the Environment Agency building dams to prevent the polluted water running back into the waterway, which was closed during the fire. The cause of the fire is at present being investigated.

The refurbishment included six guest rooms that were refurbished and the new restaurant, that were all re-opened last November.