An historic Michelin star restaurant has been 'reduced to ashes' after a huge fire erupted in its thatched roof.
The Star Inn at Harome, North Yorkshire, has won 'virtually every relevant industry award' since the arrival of celebrity chef patron Andrew Pern in 1996.
The restaurant, one of the best known in the north of England, retained its prestigious Michelin star for the 18th time earlier this year.
However, staff were left in dismay after a large fire broke out shortly after 10pm on Wednesday.
Firefighters, who battled through the night to save the 14th century inn, said the blaze spread across its famed thatched roof.
The gastro-pub tweeted on Thursday morning to say it has been 'reduced to ashes'.
Fire crews on an aerial ladder platform battle to save The Star Inn at Harome after a fire broke out in its thatched roof
Smoke pictured billowing out of the pub's roof on Wednesday night as as many as nine fire engines attended the scene
The Star Inn at Harome pictured showing its large thatched roof where a fire broke out on Wednesday
The Star Inn at Harome, pictured, has held a Michelin star for 18 of the 25 years chef Andrew Pern has been a patron
A look at the inside of The Star Inn at Harome, in Helmsley, North Yorkshire, where a large fire broke out on Wednesday night
The gastro-pub is one of the most popular in the north of England with its excellent food inside a building that 'oozes character'
It said: 'It’s been a long night so far… I’m afraid we won’t be open for a while as we are reduced to ashes with The Star on fire and still burning, residents please call after 9am.'
In a post on Facebook, staff added: 'We are devastated to let everyone know that there has been a fire in our restaurant and pub that has been burning throughout the night.
"Thankfully no one was hurt and our hotel Cross House Lodge is still fully operational, with food and accommodation for hotel guests.
'Please do bear with us as we try to navigate a way forward.
'Unfortunately our internet and phone lines are all currently down, so we are unable to answer phone and email messages at this time. Thank you for all of your messages
