Bar owner left devastated by fire

The blaze spread to the roof of the building

The owner of Londonderry's only thatched pub has said he watched helplessly as his business went up in flames.

Kieran McFadden owns the Three Flowers Bar in Coshquin which was extensively damaged in a blaze.

It is believed the blaze started in a chimney and spread to the roof.

Mr McFadden said it was "soul destroying", adding: "There is absolutely nothing you can do but stand and watch."

"Each hour that went by it just got worse and worse and there were more fire tenders coming," he said.

There is absolutely nothing you can do but stand and watch Kieran McFadden Owner

Firefighters from the city were joined by crews from Strabane, Limavady and Belfast.

Divisional Commander Willie Lynch from the Fire and Rescue Service said most of the roof had been destroyed.

"The roof is totally gone," he said.

"A large percentage of the roof was destroyed by fire and the part that remained we have had to remove from the building just to ensure that the fire was totally out.

"With the roof gone, the ground and first floor have suffered some fire damage and water damage."