By Beth Robson

Fire officers are investigating the cause of what has been described as a severe fire which ripped through a Deal Pub.

The Bohemian on Beach Street was the scene of the blaze after it broke out at about midnight on Sunday evening, May 27.

Malcolm Cowie, watch manager at Deal Fire Station, said: "The downstairs was severely damaged and the smoke damage spread to the upstairs."

About 25 firefighters were called to tackle the blaze including Deal’s retained crew as the staff crew was on standby at Westwood Cross where the new Primark building was alight.

Fire appliances from Dover, Eastry and Wingham joined the team to search the building and extinguish the flames.

By midday on Monday, a Kent Fire and Rescue investigation team were starting their enquiry into the cause.

For the full story and pictures, see Thursday’s East Kent Mercury.