FIRE severely damaged the skittle alley of the West Somerset Hotel, Swain Street, Watchet, at midnight on Monday, and was dealt with by fire crews from Williton, Minehead, Taunton, Nether Stowey and Wiveliscombe.

A Devon and Somerset Fire Service spokesman said: “Crews found smoke and flames issuing from the skittle alley and asked for further crews from Nether Stowey and Wiveliscombe.

“Crews used six sets of breathing apparatus, two attack jets, two hose reel jets, safety jets and compressed air foam to extinguish the fire.

“There was 100 per cent damage to the roof of the skittle alley and smoke damage to the rest of the building,” the spokesman added.

No-one was injured in the blaze and the hotel remains open for business.