A man arrested on suspicion of arson after a fire ripped through a beloved pub in Wigan has been released on bail, police have confirmed.
Fire devastates historic pub
The John Bull Chophouse in Wigan town centre was left severely damaged after the blaze tore through the historic pub in the early hours of Tuesday morning (August 4). Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service confirmed no one was hurt.
An investigation was launched, and a 44-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of arson, burglary and possession of class A drugs. In an update issued today (August 5), a Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said the man has since been bailed pending further enquiries. The probe into the fire is continuing.
Owners vow to restore pub
Reacting to the blaze, owners of the John Bull, Thwaites, has vowed to restore the pub back to its 'former glory'. A spokesperson from Thwaites said: “Fire services were called to a blaze at The John Bull Chop House in Wigan in the early hours of the morning.
"While a cause has yet to be confirmed, the fire is now contained, with everyone safe and no injuries reported. We’re working closely with the fire and police services to assist with the ongoing investigation, as well as with Pete and Vicky – our tenants at the pub – to offer our full support.
“Whilst it’s very early days, The John Bull Chop House is a much-loved pub in the local community and it’s very much our intention to restore the pub back to its former glory.”
Locals mourn loss
Following the blaze locals told of their sadness at the devastation at the 500-year-old building. One person told the Manchester Evening News: "That's my youth. I used to go in there when I was a biker, but I don't drink anymore so I don't go as much.
"It's the best pub in Wigan and you won't find another like it anywhere else. It used to have the best jukebox going. I saw about the fire on the internet and I had to come down and see for myself."
Another person added: "I live in a block of flats and I saw the fire from my flat. I went to my balcony and it was a load of thick white smoke. It was so bright I could see the firefighters on their lifts. I didn't think it was the pub at first, I thought it was further than that."
Someone else said: "It's a shame. It's such a popular pub, so many people go there and to see it like that? It's an old building so when something like that happens it's so hard to recover."
