A COUNTRY pub known for the quality of its food is closed until further notice after a devastating fire ripped through its kitchen and spread to an upstairs room.

The blaze began in the kitchen at the rear of The Yew Tree Inn, in Nick Hilton's Lane near Rivington, and the flames burned through the ceiling, wrecking a bedroom above.

Hundreds of shocked customers have left comments of sympathy on the pub's Facebook page including Trisha Scully who wrote: "We were there only last night. 

"Our first time dining with you, and what an incredible place to eat.

"Fantastic staff, amazing food and with a great ambiance. 

"We're so sorry to hear this bad news and thank goodness no one was hurt. 

"You'll be up and running in no time."

Firefighters from Horwich, Bolton North and Bolton Central Fire Stations were joined by cross-border colleagues from Chorley Fire Station to tackle the raging fire at 5.30am.

A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "The pub was empty and all locked up.

"When we got there there were flames coming out of the windows of the kitchen, and the door.

"Smoke was coming out of the roof because the fire had gone upstairs.

"There was a fire in the kitchen. It burned through the ceiling and destroyed the floor of an upstairs bedroom.

"It had been going a while but we don't know how long for because there were no witnesses."

The spokesman said the call was originally deemed as a 'persons reported' incident, which means there is a fear that someone is trapped in the building and needs rescuing although that did not turn out to be the case at The Yew Tree Inn.

Crews from Horwich and Chorley, the fire two fire engines on the scene, strapped on breathing apparatus (BA) to enter the burning pub before four more appliances turned up when it was realised how serious the blaze was.

The spokesman said: "The BA crew did really well.

"The smoke was so thick you couldn't see where you where.

"It took 40minutes to get the fire under control.

"The whole kitchen is completely destroyed and the whole of the pub is smokelogged.

"We don't know the cause and there will be a fire investigator there all day today."

The Yew Tree, which dates back to 1871, is known for its picturesque setting and the menu of chef Oli Farrar.