Historic Sussex Pub Closes After Fire Breaks Out

A historic village pub in East Sussex has been forced to close after being damaged by a fire.

Emergency services were called to the Dorset Arms in Withyham, near Ashdown Forest, at around 9.10pm on Monday evening.

At the height of the incident, around 30 firefighters and seven fire engines — including support from Kent — were in attendance tackling the blaze.

The fire was brought under control by around 1.00am on Tuesday, with no injuries reported.

Fire crews believe the blaze started in the kitchen area at the rear of the building.

Due to the age of the property, efforts focused on preventing the fire from spreading further through the structure.

It’s understood the alarm was raised quickly, allowing emergency services to respond promptly.

The pub’s owners have confirmed the Dorset Arms will remain closed for the time being,

apologising to customers with bookings and thanking emergency services and the local community for their support.

An investigation into the cause of the fire is now underway.

The Dorset Arms dates back to the late 16th century and has long-standing links to the De La Warr family, a historic Sussex family associated with landmarks including the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill.