Fire at Great Yarmouth pub will close busy Haven bridge for another day

A busy bridge in Great Yarmouth will remain closed for another day after a fire at a disused pub.

The pub Haven Bridge, which goes by the same name as the nearby crossing over the River Yare, caught fire on Wednesday evening.

Dozens of firefighters in eight appliances arrived at 8pm to find the roof well alight. 

Crews have been working with building control to secure the area and check the former pubs safety. As a result they had to close the nearby road and bridge.

A statement from Great Yarmouth Borough Council, issued on behalf of Norfolk Police, Norfolk Fire Service, and Norfolk County Council highways said that everyone believed to be living in the pub had now been accounted for.

"Scaffolding to stabilise the building and protect the public will be put in place around the site this evening and tomorrow morning," it said.

"While this work takes place Haven Bridge and surrounding roads will remain closed. A diversion is in place from Pasteur Road to the Gapton Hall roundabout, across the A47 Breydon Bridge, Acle New Road, and North Quay. The outbound side of the bridge closest to Matalan remains open for pedestrians."

The bridge is expectedto reopen to traffic in both directions on Friday afternoon.

"We thank the public for their patience during disruption to traffic. People travelling by car to Great Yarmouth tomorrow morning are encouraged to use alternative routes where possible, and to consider parking outside of the town centre, such as at Fuller’s Hill or on the seafront to minimise traffic to the affected areas," added the statement.