A PUB landlady has described the harrowing but vital moments after she realised her pub was on fire and evacuated more than 30 people to safety.

Nikki Beales, who runs the Inn on the Chase at Cashmoor, Blandford, with her parents, said the pub was hosting a disco birthday party when the fire broke out at around 9.30pm on Saturday.

The smoke was at first thought to have been coming from a smoke machine – until the DJ pointed out he didn’t have one.

Nikki, 34, said: “I went upstairs to see where the smoke was coming from. When I opened the door to the flat it was like a scene from Backdraft – this massive black smoke cloud came out. At that point I realised it was a major fire.”

Nikki, who has been praised by Dorset Fire and Rescue for her actions, quickly cleared the building.

She added: “Two minutes after everybody got outside, the windows of the upstairs office blew out and flames burst out of that window.”

Around 50 firefighters fought the blaze for more than four hours.

Nikki’s two-bed flat was destroyed, and three B&B rooms were smoke damaged.

The bar, beneath the office where the fire started, has also been badly damaged. It was so intense it melted a pile of £1 coins.

Nikki, who has been left without even a change of clothes, described her ruined home as “something out of a horror movie”, but the family are grateful no one was harmed.

Mum Carol said: “Had they been asleep in bed it could have been a very different outcome.”

When they reopen the family have promised to hold a charity event for the “amazing” firefighters. They also thanked customers and the community who held a whip round and bought presents for Nikki’s daughter’s 14th birthday on Sunday, after all hers were destroyed by the fire.

Carol said: “It just restores your faith in humanity. They are just a lovely group of people.”

Tim Spring, who is group manager for Dorset Fire and Rescue Service, praised the “very effective fire safety arrangements”.

Work is going ahead to make the damaged area safe. The restaurant was largely untouched and could reopen within two weeks.