FOUL play was today ruled out in connection with a fire which destroyed the interior of an Ipswich wine bar just two days before it was due to open.The blaze struck at Harvey's, in Queen Street, in the early hours of yesterday morning, causing £250,000 of damage.

FOUL play was today ruled out in connection with a fire which destroyed the interior of an Ipswich wine bar just two days before it was due to open.

The blaze struck at Harvey's, in Queen Street, in the early hours of yesterday morning, causing £250,000 of damage.

Devastated owner Trevor Hollinsworth today said investigations by the fire service and police, who scanned CCTV footage, have found that the blaze was an accident.

He said: “They can't confirm 100 per cent the actual cause, all they can say is some materials combusted.

“It's quite a mystery how a fire can start, but there's no foul play of any kind.

“The police took our CCTV and actually saw the fire ignite, but there was no one involved and no one there.”

Mr Hollinsworth was today due to meet with loss adjusters and said he was hopeful the refurbishment process could begin soon.

But he admitted: “We are in the lap of the insurers. We have invested an awful lot of money in getting the place to where it was and now we have to start again.

“I didn't sleep too well last night. You get a sick feeling in your stomach because starting again is a daunting task.

“At the moment, it's difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

Harvey's, formerly Coconut Grove, the Giles Tavern and O'Neills, was due to open tomorrow.

It is the latest venture from Hollywood Leisure, which already owns Ipswich nightspots Fire and Ice and Ollie's Cocktail Café.

n. Did you see the blaze? Contact The Evening Star news desk on 01473 324788 or email starnews@eveningstar.co.uk