Guy Ritchie has shared shocking images of the damage done to his the Lore of the Land pub after a fire broke out on Wednesday.
The director, 52, showed the devastating ruin left after 70 firefighters and 10 fire engines attended at Conway Street, Fitzrovia, at 12.15pm on Wednesday, where the fire is said to have started in an extraction system from the first floor to the roof vent.
Despite the damage done in the incident, Guy was keen to heap praise on the firefighters who helped save the building over the course of 12 hours in an Instagram post he shared on Thursday, adding that he admired their ‘courage’.
Damage: Guy Ritchie shared shocking snaps of the smoking ruin of his Fitzrovia pub Lore of the Land pub on Instagram on Thursday
Guy was keen to heap praise on the firefighters who helped save the building over the course of 12 hours in an Instagram post he shared on Thursday, adding that he admired their ‘courage’ (pictured in 2019)
Guy shared a video of the firefighters using a crane to help get to the top of the building to help quell the blaze, with smoke visibly pouring out of the windows.
He also posted an image of a room inside, which showed the extent of the damage done including how the walls had caved in, the floor was blackened, and furniture had been ruined.
Debris was visibly strewn all over the room as a result of the fire, and some items appeared to have even fallen from the ceiling.
Sharing his thoughts on the incident, Guy wrote in the caption: ‘Twelve hours and seventy brave service men and women later. I admire your courage. Our teams are safe and we will return soon.’
Grateful: Despite the damage done in the incident, Guy was keen to heap praise on the firefighters who helped save the building over the course of 12 hours
Duties: Guy shared a video of the firefighters using a crane to help get to the top of the building to help quell the blaze, with smoke visibly pouring out of the windows
Outing: On Thursday, Guy was seen stepping out for the first time since the blaze as he put aside his worries and went out for dinner with his wife Jacqui Ainsley
On Thursday, Guy was seen stepping out for the first time since the blaze as he put aside his worries and went out for dinner with his wife Jacqui Ainsley.
Guy’s pub was left with a huge hole in the roof after a fire broke out on Wednesday, with a witness saying the smoke was so intense that it caused first responders to vomit.
In pictures taken during the incident, smoke can be seen coming from the venue while firefighters continue working to make the brick pub safe.
Stylish: Jacqui put on a stylish display as she wore a yellow gingham-print two-piece that paired a peplum top and a matching maxi skirt
Damage: Guy’s Camden Pub was left with holes in the roof after a fire broke out on Wednesday and 70 firefighters battled the blaze, with a witness saying the ‘smoke was so intense’
A eyewitness whose property backs onto the pub saw the smoke billowing from their fifth floor balcony and described the moment firefighters battled the blaze.
The neighbour told MailOnline: ‘At one stage the roof had smoke coming out of every tile, it was quite a scene.
‘The chimneys, which I don’t think are fully functioning, had smoke coming out too and firefighters had to pour water down them.
Businessman: The Lore Of The Land pub opened in 2019 and is one of many of the director’s hospitality ventures (pictured in 2016)
‘I saw one firefighter being sick because the smoke was so intense, which was why they all had breathing equipment.’
After getting the blaze under control, firefighters were then seen pulling off the tiles on the roof leaving the property with gaping holes.
The neighbour added: ‘They were clipping them off one by one to let air through. So now you can see into the top floor through the roof.
‘It’s going to be quite a repair job. But thankfully it’s seems like nobody was injured. It could have been a lot worse.’
Blaze: Pictures taken by an eyewitness on Wednesday showed white smoke coming out of the chimney and a door of Guy’s pub
Saving the day: Firefighters poured water on the roof in an attempt to put out the blaze, which is said to have started in an extraction system from the first floor to the roof vent
Fire: The witness described how they saw saw ‘one firefighter being sick because the smoke was so intense’
Speaking on Wednesday, London Fire Brigade station commander Jason Fisby said: ‘Access to the seat of the fire is challenging and very labour intensive.
‘The number of fire engines at the scene is a reflection of the need for a high turn over of firefighters wearing breathing apparatus. Firefighters are carrying out salvage work and trying to prevent water damage on the floors below.’
No injuries have been reported since the blaze broke out. MailOnline has contacted representatives for Guy and London Fire Brigade for comment.
Location: The Camden pub is pictured from the front of the venue
Team: The fire was tackled by over 70 firefighters who arrived at the scene in 10 engines
Helping out: Dozens of firefighters were seen close by to the pub and getting their uniforms on
The Lore Of The Land secretly opened its doors in 2019, marking Guy’s return to pub ownership for the first time since he and Madonna owned the Punch Bowl in Mayfair.
The swanky menu features venison, which is brought in from Guy’s Wiltshire estate, Ashcombe, where Cecil Beaton lived.
Beer served is from his Gritchie Brewing Company alongside bar snacks including Jerusalem artichoke pate with crispy chicken skin and a seed cracker.
When the pub opened, it was revealed that Guy took incredible care to make sure that every plate, glass and picture in the pub was handpicked by him.
Solution: While trying to stop the flames, firefighters ripped off dozens of roof tiles to let the smoke out, according to an eyewitness
Damage: One section of the roof seemed to be worse hit, missing dozens of tiles (right) by the time the firefighters were back on the ground after (left, pictured with smoke out the door)
Impressive: Firefighters rose above the building to pour water on the blaze, appearing to focus their efforts on the chimney area
Hard at work: 70 firefighters were needed due to them having to wear breathing apparatus and the seat of the fire being difficult to access
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Guy for comment.
The blaze comes after Guy’s £10m home was targeted by burglars in December – in an echo of one of his crime films. Raiders rifled through rooms in the director’s Georgian house in London but left empty-handed as police rushed to the scene.
It is not known if Madonna’s ex-husband – whose films include Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch – was home at the time of the raid.
The burglars were ‘seen by an occupant,’ said a source, adding: ‘Shortly afterwards the police turned up and the suspects legged it up the street and got away.’
Arrival: Firefighters descended on the blaze that raged on Wednesday afternoon (pictured)
Busy: Several firefighters were seen outside the pub with hoses while working at the building
Safe: Another snap from the scene showed a firefighter spraying water onto a burnt roof
Work: The fire, which broke out at around 12.15pm, is said to have started in an extraction system from the first floor to the roof vent
Tasks: The London fire brigade station commander said firefighters were doing ‘salvage work and trying to prevent water damage on the floors below’ (pictured: two men at the scene)
Also there: Police also attended the scene during the afternoon
Onlookers: Several members of the public stopped to have a look from a cordon while the firefighters worked at salvaging the building
Guy shares the eight-bedroom home in Fitzrovia with wife Jacqui Ainsley, 39. They split their time between the London home and their 18th-century estate in Wiltshire which was given to him as part of his divorce with Madonna in 2008.
A burglar broke into the country mansion in 2010. A neighbour said at the time: ‘This is shocking and always a worry when you hear of an incident like that…
‘We all hire private security companies to protect us. I pay £3,700 a month. That’s for private security to do walks at night and keep an eye out. They monitor the area.’
Beverages: Beer served is from his Gritchie Brewing Company alongside bar snacks including Jerusalem artichoke pate with crispy chicken skin and a seed cracker
Family: Guy shares his eight-bedroom home in Fitzrovia with wife Jacqui
The neighbour told The Sun: ‘We believe organised criminals operate in the area and target these homes. It’s a very nice area. We know we’re going to be a target. I hope the police can find the people responsible. We need to feel safe.’
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: ‘Detectives are investigating following a report of a burglary at a residential address in Fitzrovia.
‘It is not believed anything was taken.’
Home: Ritchie and his wife split their time between the London home (pictured) and their 18th-century estate in Wiltshire which was given to him as part of his divorce settlement with Madonna in 2008