New publicans Madaline and Andy Scoffield are thanking villagers for rallying around after a blaze ripped through the roof of their pub.

The couple only moved into The Windmill in Hoo nine weeks ago for what they describe as a new venture in their lives.

But that dream looked like falling apart when a fire broke out as they were serving customers on Sunday afternoon.

Fortunately, thanks to the quick-thinking actions of a diner, the damage to the inside was minimal and nobody was injured.

But the incident, which could have been sparked by an electrical fault, has knocked out the power at the free house pub on the Ratcliffe Highway.

So far this week they have not been open for business but are hoping they will be up-and running to honour impending Christmas bookings.

Madaline, 46, said: “Everyone has been brilliant, really supportive. The regulars have been asking how we are, and one man from up the road has offered to give us some Calor gas heaters.

“Everyone remained calm. We offered to plate up food and light candles at first. We did not realise it was a fire until we went outside and saw smoke.”

Madaline and Andy, also 46, who both used to run a car parts sales company in south east London, are now living in a bungalow next door while repairs are carried out.

Manager Lana Woodard said: “Thankfully our Christmas lunches don’t start until December 1, so we should be OK.

“We are waiting to hear from UK Power Networks this week. At the moment we have nothing, no power, and the phones are down as well.

“A big thank you to the gentleman who spotted the fault. I genuinely thought he wanted to stay and solve the problem but realised it was time to call the fire brigade.”

The Scoffields are running the business with help from their son Liam and his partner Tiff.

Madaline said: “We like it out here. This is our new start.”

Kent Fire and Rescue spokesman Kirsty Gearey said: “The cause has been recorded as unknown.”

Sparky saves the day

Customers and staff fled to safety after a blaze broke out at a popular pub.

But a major disaster may have been averted thanks to a quick-thinking electrician enjoying a family meal in the bar.

Alarm bells started ringing when the lights flashed on and off at The Windmill in Hoo on Sunday evening.

Grandad Gary Botten, 58, sensed something was wrong at the pub on the Ratcliffe Highway, which was packed with drinkers and diners.

Mr Botten, who lives in Lordswood and works for an engineering company, asked staff if he could take a look at the fuse boxes at the back of the building.

He noticed one of the meters was hot and there was a smell of burning. And then when a worker reported seeing a spark outside, he ordered everyone out.

He said: “I looked outside and saw smoke coming from the guttering. There’s no smoke without fire. We had a lucky escape and we caught it just in time.

“If I had not detected it, it could have smouldered all night and wiped out everyone living there.”

His granddaughter Brittany McKenzie was among the family party of six who were having a meal to celebrate her mother Michelle McKenzie’s wedding next week.

Miss McKenzie, 20, said: “We knew it must be an electrical fault and thought it must be the trip switch.

“They came back on and it happened again, three times altogether. And then they went out completely.

“We got outside and we heard a fizz, a spark and then a bang. It was very lucky my grandad being there. He is my hero. It could have been a lot worse. The staff were calm but he was saying we need to get out and now.”

At the height of the fire, which started just after 5pm, there were four appliances and a height-vehicle along with about 30 firefighters, who were wearing breathing apparatus, tackling flames in the roof.

Red Cross volunteers and Kent Fire and Rescue Service’s volunteer response team provided emotional and welfare support.

Crews stood down about 8.50pm.

Miss McKenzie, a bingo caller who lives in Albatross Avenue, Strood, said: “There were about 20 of us in there. Everyone was calm. The kids were playing with torches and making shadow puppets. People were trying to entertain them to keep them calm and we were having a giggle.

“When we got outside we heard a fizz and there was a bang and a spark. Everyone jumped back and I must have ran about 10 metres.”

Mr Botten said: “Brittany will always big me up to be a hero but I was just someone who happened to be there at the right time offering a hand to someone in need.”