The Old Swan Inn at Gargrave to be rebuilt after devastating fire

A man in his 50s, understood to be landlord Tim Sharp, was rescued from the roof after the blaze broke out at around 5.30pm and he remains in a critical condition in hospital.

Mr Sharp and his partner Lindsay Williamson had held the lease on the business since 2017, but the Grade II-listed building is owned by pub management chain EI Group.

A spokesman for the company confirmed that they had committed to repairing and re-opening the pub, which dates back to the 18th century and is the oldest building in Gargrave.

Work is expected to take several months and could last into 2021, depending on the extent of the damage. The pub was fully insured.

EI Group have not yet been able to access the site as police and forensic investigators are still at the scene working to establish how the fire started.

A Craven Council building inspector has conducted a structural assessment and the inn has been made safe.

When listed buildings decay or suffer damage, their protected status means extensive measures must be taken to ensure they are restored and preserved.

The fire broke out just two days before the leaseholders were planning to re-open the pub after a four-month lockdown closure. They had been running a takeaway and delivery service since April.