DINERS and drinkers were disrupted when an historic village pub’s chimney caught fire last night (December 14).

Two crews of firefighters from Newton Abbot descended on Torbryan’s Old Church House Inn just after 7.30pm when the chimney was reported to be well alight.

A thermal imaging camera was used to trace the source of the blaze which did not affect the rest of the building, parts of which date back to the 13th century.

Staff raised the alarm at 7.36pm after spotting a fire involving a wood burning stove. The pub, which is haunted, boasts three fire places.

One crew was initially sent to the venue, with another being called in shortly afterwards as the severity of the blaze was recognised.

By 8pm firefighters were able to confirm the problem was confined within the chimney stack.

A spokesman said: ‘It was difficult to tackle and extinguish, although we made good and steady progress.’

Some 40 minutes later the fire had been extinguished using specialist chimney gear and small tools.

The spokesman said access to the stack was gained by removing the wood burning stove.

‘There was no fire spread or damage – and duty of care was left with staff,’ he added.