Firefighters extinguished a blaze at the John Bull Chop House in Wigan town centre on Tuesday morning. The fire broke out overnight, with smoke seen billowing from the historic pub.
Response and containment
Four fire engines from Wigan, Atherton, and Leigh stations were called to the pub on Coopers Row at approximately 4am on Tuesday, August 4. Crews used breathing apparatus, three hose reels, one hose reel jet, and other specialist equipment to extinguish the fire.
A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "At approximately 4am on Tuesday, August 4, four fire engines from Wigan, Atherton and Leigh fire stations were called to attend a fire at a pub on Coopers Row, Wigan. Crews arrived quickly and used breathing apparatus, three hose reels, one hose reel jet and other specialist equipment to extinguish the fire. Firefighters remain in attendance at this time."
The fire service confirmed no one was injured.
Cordon and updates
Wigan Council posted on X at 7.28am: "@manchesterfire are currently tackling a blaze at the John Bull pub in Wigan. A 50-metre exclusion zone has been set up to keep the public safe. Please avoid the area if possible."
An update at 8.40am from the council said: "The fire has now been extinguished. The cordon will be lifted shortly."
Historic pub and neighbouring bar
The John Bull Chop House is one of Greater Manchester's best-loved and most historic pubs, believed to date back to the 17th century. It became Grade II-listed in 1998.
The adjacent Wiend Bar posted on Facebook that the fire did not spread to its premises. The post said: "Hi all, thanks for all the messages about the fire at The John Bull. We’re told by GMFRS that the fire didn’t spread to us thankfully. We can’t yet get to the bar to assess any issues due to a cordon in place but we’ll update as soon as we can. The damage to The John Bull appears to be kept to one end of the building. Our thoughts are with Pete and Victoria from The John Bull and we’ll do everything we can to help them in any way we can. Long live The John Bull."
