Landlord of Arsenal pub says it could shut 'for months' after fire

A north London pub beloved by Arsenal fans could be closed for months after a fire ripped through its basement last week.

The landlord of The Tollington Arms said he was “heartbroken”, following the blaze that broke out on Friday, October 9.

The pub, located in Holloway close to the Emirates Stadium , is one of the most famous hangouts for Gunners fans and was a focus of the public celebrations when the team paraded the Premier League trophy through Islington in May.

Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters tackled the fire at the pub in Hornsey Road in the early hours of the morning.

A patch of flooring was damaged after part of the basement caught fire.

Arsenal fans celebrated their team winning the Premier League in the Tollington Arms pub AFP/Getty A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade (LFB) said crews from Islington, Kentish Town, Stoke Newington and Hornsey fire stations attended the scene.

Landlord Martin Whelan, his partner Louise, and two others had left the building by the time firefighters arrived.

Mr Whelan added that one person suffered "a bit of smoke inhalation" but that no one else was hurt following the incident.

He said: "The investigation team found something underneath the pub buried under pyro cable - possibly dating back to when it was built 150 years ago.

"They cut it out with ball cutters and took it away. First thing is forensics but this is all going to take time - it will be a miracle if this pub is open within four months.

"We are completely heartbroken and devastated after 20 years hard work. It's soul destroying after having the best year and winning the Premier League.

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