A HAMPSHIRE pub has been badly damaged after nearly 20 firefighters were forced to battle a late-night blaze.

The fire broke out at the John O’Gaunt Inn in Horsebridge, near King’s Somborne, at about 9.30pm last night and fire crews fought the flames for four hours before it was extinguished.

An investigation will begin this morning to pinpoint the cause of the fire.

A Hampshire Fire and Rescue spokeswoman told the Daily Echo that the lower floor of the building was 75 per cent fire damaged and 100 per cent damaged by smoke, while there was also damage on the upper floor.

The spokeswoman said: “The fire spread to the roof as well and we used two high-pressure hose reels, two jets, and 18 sets of breathing apparatus to put it out.”