THE manager of a Poole bar whose kitchen was destroyed by fire says he hopes to get up and running as soon as possible – while another pub has come to its aid.

Harry’s at Canford Cliffs was at the centre of dramatic scenes on Tuesday morning when a blaze started in the kitchen.

Manager Tim Tee had a lucky escape when the flames, which are thought to have started in the ventilation system, took hold without warning.

Firefighters from Redhill and Westbourne were sent to the scene shortly after 11am and managed to contain the damage to the kitchen.

But the damage means that the bar has had to close while it is assessed – putting a 70th birthday party for 45 people tonight and a coffee morning in aid of Dorset Cancer Care Foundation on Sunday, due to have around 50 guests, in jeopardy – along with other bookings.

But Tim, who has managed the popular venue for the past seven years, swung into action, ringing round colleagues in the trade to find an alternative.

Marianne Brown at The Brit in Ashley Cross came to the aid of Harry’s, agreeing to accommodate both events.

Tim said: “If I can’t get the kitchen operating I will hopefully at least get the bar operating.

“I’ve got the 70th birthday sorted and my coffee morning sorted.

“I apologise to everyone who has booked, especially those who I’ve not managed to get in touch with.

“Marianne has been fabulous to accommodate them. They’re doing it with her chef and my chef is going to go down and go through our menu so that it’s what we would have done.”

Tim said that thousands of pounds’ worth of damage had been caused by the blaze.

Marianne added: “The Brit is passionate about helping each other out and it shows the good relationships between licensees in the area.

“Venues have got to work together.”