Residents in Royal Wootton Bassett looked on in shock as the town’s oldest pub went up in flames yesterday afternoon.

The roof of the Cross Keys, in the High Street, caught fire at approximately 3.45pm.

Fire crews from Royal Wootton Bassett, Westlea and Swindon initially attended, as well as the aerial platform.

On arrival they found the roof well alight and two more crews, as well as the control unit from Stratton, were called in.

The Enterprise pub, which is currently under renovation and was due to reopen to the public on August 2, was built in 1742.

Two water carriers, a hydraulic platform and around six water appliances attended the scene to tackle the blaze.

The fire started in the roof space and firefighters were able to put it out before it spread to neighbouring properties. It took crews around 45 minutes to extinguish the flames, which left a burnt-out scar in the High Street skyline.

One witness, Jan McClure, had spent the day out in Lydiard Park with her family and came home to the scene.

She said: “We had been out all day at Lydiard Park and when we came back I heard a crackling and a banging, a bit like fireworks. I looked out and there was the Cross Keys up in flames.”

Wiltshire Police received a call from Wiltshire Fire and rescue regarding the fire at 3.52pm, shortly after the fire was believed to have started.

They immediately closed the length of the High Street, directing traffic and pedestrians away from the scene. Nobody was injured and the building was believed to be empty at the time.

Town councillor and retired fireman, Chris Wannell, said: “It’s a great shame because it was due to reopen in two weeks’ time, and it would have meant that every property on the High Street would have been open.

“I only hope that they get it sorted pretty quickly. With that roof like that over the winter and the age of the building it will deteriorate very quickly.”