A FIRE in an historic hotel brought Swindon's Old Town to a virtual standstill.
Three fire engines and a turntable appliance were called to the Goddard Arms after a small fire was reported in a downstairs toilet.
Firefighters, including two wearing breathing apparatus, used a single hose to put out the flames.
A Wiltshire Fire brigade spokeswoman said: "The matter is now in the hands of the police."
The fire was reported at 5pm yesterday and was out by 5.49pm.
But the presence of the emergency services at the busiest time of the day brought virtual gridlock to Old Town, despite police efforts to keep traffic flowing.
There were similar problems in the town centre because of an influx of late night Christmas shoppers.
The Goddard Arms is one of the oldest hotels in Swindon, and takes its name from the family whose estate covered much of the Lawns and what is now modern Old Town.
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