Guy Ritchie’s Lore of the Land pub in London caught fire

FILM director Guy Ritchie watched his pub burn for the second time in just six months.

Firefighters were called to the Lore of the Land boozer around 11:20 a.m. this morning after a balcony was engulfed in flames in Fitzrovia, London.

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Crews managed to contain the blaze that broke out onto the balcony and put it out within 40 minutes – with footage showing plumes of black smoke billowing from the back of the house.

It is not believed to be as serious as the fire that broke out last June and consumed the entire roof of the property.

That initial fire, which is believed to have started in the kitchen, saw ten fire engines and about 70 firefighters arrive on the scene to tackle the blaze.

London Fire and Rescue confirmed it attended the latest fire but said more details would be released later today.

Referring to the most recent fire, a local resident said: “I heard some explosions and thought it was fireworks outside, but when I went out to look, I saw that the balcony was on fire.

“My immediate thought was oh my god itIt flared up again, though after a short while it became clear that the fire wasn’t as bad as the last.

“Firefighters arrived at around 11:20am and, to my relief, were gone at 12pm.

“The fire looked like it was started by some kind of electrical appliance on the balcony, but luckily it appeared to be extinguished only in that area.

“I hope that the damage to his pub is not too severe.”

The previous fire saw 70 firefighters tackle the blaze for hours, with flames and smoke billowing from the back of the house.

It is unclear if Lock Stock director Ritchie was in the pub when the fire broke out.

Ritchie opened the pub last year after buying it in 2018.

He serves beer from his Gritchie Brewing Company downstairs along with bar snacks like Jerusalem artichoke pate with crispy chicken skin and crackers.

Customers at the food pub upstairs can enjoy venison from his country estate in Wiltshire.

He previously owned a Mayfair pub, The Punch Bowl, while married to Madonna but sold it in 2013.

Last year, The Sun revealed how Ritchie let taxpayers base its bills on using ample cash to pay staff – albeit worth £100m.

Guy Ritchie’s people have been contacted for comment.

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