'Hard to reach' fire breaks out at Guy Ritchie’s central London pub Lore of the Land
A fire has broken out in a central London pub owned by film director Guy Ritchie. Emergency services were called to the Lore of the Land pub, in Conway Street, Fitzrovia on Wednesday lunchtime.
Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters spent several hours tackling the blaze and managed to get it under control.
Conway Street and nearby road, Grafton Way, were taped off to the public. Six fire engines were at the scene.
Mr Ritchie arrived at the scene at around 4.30pm and spoke to firefighters and police officers. According to one officer, he "did not look distraught".
Kit Kitchener, the manager of Lore of the Land, said: "The main thing is that no-one is hurt. It's the only thing that matters. We just have to wait for the guys to do their thing until we can go in later and look at the damage.
"But we definitely won't be opening tomorrow."
Kitchen worker at the pub, Bidssa Imlria, who has worked there for three months, said: "The pub was on fire when I got here but the fire definitely started in the kitchen. We don't know when we'll be allowed back in."
A spokesman for London Fire Brigade said the location of the fire, which was inside the extraction system and is believed to have started in the kitchen, meant several firefighters were needed to tackle the blaze.
Station Commander Jason Fisby said: "The fire is within the extraction system from the first floor to the roof vent. There are no reports of any injuries.
"Access to the seat of the fire is challenging and very labour intensive. The number of fire engines at the scene is a reflection of the need for a high turn over of firefighters wearing breathing apparatus.
"Firefighters are carrying out salvage work and trying to prevent water damage on the floors below."
The cause of the fire is being investigated.
The pub is owned by the Fat Boy Pub Company which was founded in 2018.
According to Companies House, Mr Ritchie is listed as a director of the firm.
Alongside the pub, the film director also owns a brewing company, Gritchie Brewing Co, which brews beers using barley grown on the Wiltshire/Dorset border.
On the company's website, a statement from Mr Ritchie says: "I've always had a passion for beer and pub culture, so it seemed fitting that I should set up a brewery. I'm interested in trying to add a subtle and contemporary change to the traditional drink of Britain."
Mr Ritchie is known for his work as a director specialising in British gangster films. His work includes the films Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels, Sherlock Holmes and The Gentlemen.
The Lore of the Land pub and a spokesperson for Mr Ritchie have been contacted for comment.