VIDEO A Hadleigh pub's owners have today vowed to soldier on after their building went up in flames.About 30 firefighters were called to the Cock Inn in George Street where a fire which started in the lounge area had engulfed the pub.

A HADLEIGH pub's owners have today vowed to soldier on after their building went up in flames.

About 30 firefighters were called to the Cock Inn in George Street where a fire which started in the lounge area had engulfed the pub.

The fire spread to the attic where the pub's managers live, causing extensive damage to upstairs rooms and the roof.

The building was evacuated and no one was hurt in the fire which is believed to have started in an extraction fan.

Andrea Kearton, who owns the building with Ray Dean, said: “I'm gutted. You never dream this will happen.

“I'm glad the managers are out safely, it is not nice for them.

“It could have been a lot worse.”

Mr Dean said the building was insured and added: “You couldn't put how I feel into words. It is awful.

“It will come back to how it was, it just takes time. It will be back better than it was.”

An investigation is now under way into the causes of the fire.

Kerry Dyer, who lives near the pub, said: “My son got a text saying the Cock was on fire! I couldn't believe it but we came out and it was smouldering and smoky.

“It is just my local pub, this isn't the kind of thing that happens in Hadleigh.

“It is sad because it is someone's home and it is a lovely building.”

Another witness said they had heard an explosion as the fire began.

Gary Clarke assistant divisional officer with Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said the fire had started in the lounge before spreading to the first floor and into the interior wall unit and then into the roof.

Did you see the fire? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.