A HERO who played a key role in saving a legendary Stroud pub from fire has spoken of the moment he saw smoke coming from the scene.

Alexander Ponting, who lives in the town centre, called 999 after spotting smoke and flames coming from the extension at the back of the Market Tavern - formerly the Pelican - around 6pm last Wednesday evening.

The Union Street venue has been vacant for several years but is best known as the site of the iconic Peli in the 1980s and 1990s before it became the Union in 2002.

Mr Ponting - who captured the fire in dramatic photos and videos - said the fire ‘seemed intense’, adding that if it had happened at night, the landmark building could have been destroyed.

Luckily, the blaze was contained in the single storey extension in the garden area. 

Mr Ponting was in the rooftop car park at Brunel Mall when he realised he could smell burning “There was a smell in the air similar to when sparklers are burned,” he explained “As I exited I could see smoke rising from behind the Market Tavern.

“As I walked up Union Street, smoke was emerging through gaps in the side of the building.

“I looked down over the fence into the pub garden and saw thick black smoke pouring out of the ground-floor windows.

“Large flames were coming out of one of the windows.

“I called the fire brigade, answered some questions about the building and was told that they were sending firefighters immediately.

“After the call was made, the flames had grown larger and started emerging from more windows on the ground floor.

“A few minutes later, the first fire engine arrived.

“I was confident that the firefighters would do everything they could to put out the fire and keep people safe.

“Had the fire happened at night when nobody was around, I think the damage to the building and the surrounding area could’ve been a lot worse. I’m very glad nobody was hurt.”

For a generation of Stroudies, the Peli, run by landlord Andy Thomas, was the go-to alternative venue for live music during the 1980s and 1990s.

There were often bands three nights a week plus poery nights and a free satirical newspaper called the Stroud Defector was produced