A WEST Somerset restaurant has been forced to close indefinitely after a fire destroyed its kitchens in the early hours of Friday (September 5).

Fire fighting crews from Minehead, Williton, and Taunton were called to Reeves, in Dunster, after the blaze broke out at about 1 am and they spent nearly the next eight hours handling the incident.

It was almost 9 am before Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue (DSFR) declared the incident closed.

The multi-award winning fine dining restaurant has been owned by chef Justin Reeves and his wife Claire for nearly 20 years.

The family, who live on the upper two floors of the property, escaped without injury from the fire, which involved a tumble dryer on the ground floor to the rear of the restaurant.

Fire damage can be seen at the rear of Reeves restaurant in Dunster.
Fire damage can be seen at the rear of Reeves restaurant in Dunster. (Claire Reeves)

Mr and Mrs Reeves said on social media they were ‘absolutely devastated’ by the incident.

They said: “It has caused quite a lot of smoke damage throughout and major damage to the kitchen.

“We will not be able to open for some time.

“May we take this opportunity to extend our thanks to everybody in our wonderful community who have sent messages of support and help.

“In particular, we would like to thank all the team at the Luttrell Arms Hotel who without question have offered us accommodation and food and welcomed us with open arms.”

The couple apologised to customers who had reservations which now had to be cancelled and recommended the Luttrell Arms Hotel, Hathaways, and the Yarn Market Hotel as immediate alternatives.

They said: “There are also some absolutely beautiful tea shops, coffee shops, and pubs offering lovely lunches, too.

“There is definitely something for everybody in this gem of a village.”

Firefighters spent most of the night battling a blaze in a Dunster restaurant on September 5.
Firefighters spent most of the night battling a blaze in a Dunster restaurant on September 5. (Claire Reeves)

DSFR said the rear and front kitchens of the ground floor restaurant were almost completely destroyed by fire and smoke.

The restaurant itself suffered 50 per cent smoke damage, as did the Reeves’ first floor living accommodation, while the second floor saw 25 per cent smoke damage.

A DSFR spokesperson said: “There were no casualties, and the cause was believed accidental.”

Minehead and Williton firefighters quickly confirmed everybody in the family was accounted for when they arrived on scene and went to work fighting the fire in the kitchen using two sets of breathing apparatus, a hose reel jet, and a covering jet.

Four more sets of breathing apparatus and another hose reel jet were needed, with more breathing apparatus wearers arriving from Williton, and an aerial ladder was requested from Taunton.

Reeves restaurant, in Dunster High Street, was largely destroyed by a major fire on September 5.
Reeves restaurant, in Dunster High Street, was largely destroyed by a major fire on September 5. (JD Commercial)

Gas and electrical supplies to the building were isolated with Wales and West Utilities engineers in attendance, and thermal imaging cameras were used to check for hotspots as crews monitored the scene,

A positive pressure ventilation fan was used to ventilate the property, while the crews used a thermal imaging camera to identify remaining hotspots and any fire spread into the neighbouring property.

The blaze was the second in Dunster High Street this year after Minehead and Williton crews dealt with a chimney fire in the Luttrell Arms in February.