ONE of Dartmoor’s classic thatched pubs has been reduced to a shell after fire destroyed the 13th century Ring of Bells Inn at North Bovey.

Sixty firefighters battled in vain to save the historic alehouse, which was substantially refurbished just over a year ago.

The alarm was raised just before noon today with ten pumps rushing to the heart of the village from across South Devon and beyond.

The recently re-thatched pub was well alight by the time the first local crews gathered to try to salvage what they could of the popular old pub.

Residents watched in disbelief from a safe distance as the picturesque 800-year-old building was quickly engulfed by flames.

A fire spokesman said from the scene: ‘We are doing our best to salvage what we can. The news is not very good.’

Crews from Chagford, Bovey Tracey, North Tawton, Newton Abbot, Okehampton, Ashburton, Torquay, Exeter Danes Castle, Totnes and the high volume pump from Taunton were in attendance.

The wrecked building took on a surreal winter wonderland appearance after being drowned in masses of white flame-snuffing foam, which was knee-deep in places.

The spokesman said just two hours after the alarm was raised: ‘The roof was well alight when we arrived and has since collapsed. It’s completely gone.

‘The building is now fully involved in fire. Crews are currently at work with three compressed air foam jets, two hosereel jets, one safety jet, two breathing apparatus wearers, two 135 ladders, small tools and a thermal imaging camera.’

Western Power and an Environmental Agency official were also at the scene together with the Keith McKay, historic buildings officer for the Dartmoor National Park Authority.

Relief crews were brought in later in the afternoon to continue to rescue what was left of the building.

Narrow lanes around the village suffered major congestion as the fleet of appliances made their way to and from the scene of devastation.