THE value of having a smoke alarm fitted was proved again this week when staff at Salisbury's Wig and Quill public house, in New Street, were alerted to a fire.

It broke out in a staff bedroom on the second floor of the pub on Monday morning.

Salisbury firefighters were quickly on the scene and found that licensee Ken Staniforth and a colleague Joy Harding, had already started tackling the fire with water, after ensuring that the pub had been evacuated.

Firefighters took over and were able to prevent the fire from causing serious damage to the room, although some of the personal possessions belonging to the room's occupier were damaged.

Sub Officer Sarah Allen, who was in charge of firefighting operations, said the member of staff using the room had returned to find it full of smoke.

She said: "The smoke alarm activated, giving everyone the chance to get out.

"The licensee raised the alarm and tackled the fire with water until we got there.

"We are currently investigating how it started, but once again it shows the value of having a smoke alarm fitted."