Derelict former party pub destroyed by fire

10:23am Saturday 6th September 2008

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A PUB that once enjoyed a reputation as a popular party venue has been destroyed by fire.

Fire broke out at The Jingling Gate, in West Pelton, near Stanley, County Durham, at about 5.30am yesterday.

Flames from the derelict pub, in Twizell Lane, could be seen for many miles.

Witness Julian Harrop, who lives nearby, said: “I could see the smoke and there were quite a few fire engines there. It was a big fire and the building has gone now. It is a shame because it had been a popular place.”

Yesterday, the smouldering timbers of the building were being doused by firefighters.

Mr Harrop said The Jingling Gate had been built in the early part of the 20th Century for men who worked in Twizell Colliery It closed about four years ago but, during its heyday, in the Eighties and Nineties, it was a popular choice for birthday and Christmas parties.

Before yesterday’s fire, the building had fallen into disrepair and had become a hang-out for vandals.

Mr Harrop, 48, who works at Beamish Museum, said: “People will have mixed feelings about what has happened because there are a lot of happy memories here.

“But a lot of rubbish has been dumped on the site since it closed and there are always cars here, so the police have to come to keep an eye on things. It had become a bit of an eyesore.”

Chester-le-Street District Council staff were at the site after the fire to make sure it was secure.

Walls were due to demolished and a fence was being erected around the debris.

Last year, the council’s planning committee refused an application for permission to demolish the pub and replace it with five houses.

Police are due to visit the site today and will launch an investigation with the fire service to establish the cause of the fire.

Anyone with information can call police on 0845-60-60-365.