Workers fought back stable blaze

Laurence Cawley

WORKERS at a prestigious racing stable fought back flames using a hose after a blaze took hold in a canteen.

Firefighters from Newmarket and Mildenhall were called to Diomed Stables in Hamilton Road, Newmarket, shortly after 1pm today.

When they arrived they found the staff canteen “totally destroyed” and their first concern was for the welfare of a number of racehorses stabled nearby.

Watch manager Martyn Hazelwood told how workers were dismantling the canteen when a small fire nearby spread to it and the whole building went up in flames.

“There was quite a severe fire when we arrived. It must have spread over to the building (the canteen) but one of the guys was fortunately here and he got a hose and stopped it spreading,” Mr Hazelwood said.

“Our initial concern was about the likelihood of the fire spreading because it was in close proximity to the racehorses. But we managed to hold it back with hose reels and breathing apparatus.”

A spokesman for the stables, which is home to racehorse trainer Stuart Williams, said he was embarrassed to have to call out the fire service but added it was better to be safe than sorry.

He said the canteen which was destroyed by fire was in the process of being taken down and replaced. He said a small fire had been set up nearby but when the wind changed direction it set the former canteen alight.

None of the horses housed at Diomed were affected, he said, and none had to be moved during the drama.

The blaze was under control by 3pm and fire crews left the scene shortly before 4pm.