The assistant manager of a Kingston pub has been hailed an ‘absolute hero’ after he safely evacuated 15 tenants from a burning flat on the floor above.
The blaze on Richmond Road at The Grey Horse pub was reported to emergency services at 3:08am on Sunday morning.
An entire one-roomed flat and half of the communal area on the second floor of the three-storey building were destroyed by the fire.
Pub assistant manager Callum Nixon was enjoying his leaving drinks with colleagues after his final shift at The Grey Horse when he realised there was a fire.
He said: “In the moment, I didn’t really think about anything, I just kind of went into autopilot.
“Once I realised there was no putting out the fire all we could do was make sure everyone got out safe.
“Just glad the firefighters could do their thing, they did an amazing job, and I’m thankful to the community for rallying behind us.
“It was my favourite pub before I worked there and I would hate to see it go.”
Around 25 firefighters from stations across Kingston, Surbiton, New Malden and Twickenham got the fire under control by 5:20am.
Witnesses said the blaze started after a staff member accidentally fell asleep in the flat upstairs while a heater was still on, however the London Fire Brigade said the exact cause is yet to be determined.
Joy Bowers was in the beer garden with co-workers when they smelled smoke.
She said: “The fire was very upsetting and terrifying, we’re lucky the firefighters were so amazing.
“My first thought was ‘oh my god this is going to be the end for the pub’.
“When you see the water pouring in you have no idea how much damage has been done.”
Image credit: @greyhorse.smokd on Instagram
After waiting at the pub with Nixon until 8am, Bowers called him an “absolute hero” for responding so quickly during a time of panic.
She added that while the fire is devastating on a personal level, the support from the local community has been incredible.
She said: “The Grey Horse is a famous and historic pub in Kingston, and the music venue at the back has many events including drag, poetry, stand-up comedy.
Image credit: @greyhorse.smokd on Instagram
“It’s a hub of creativity and arts in Kingston and we are really grateful to have so many people that love the pub.”
Leigh White, director of the pub chain Smok’d, an affiliated business, is aiming to help tenants affected to find temporary accomodation.
The business also plans to create a GoFundMe to raise money to support those who lost possessions in the fire.
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