A SURVEYOR from South Hams District Council's building control department was yesterday helping firemen to make the Royal Seven Stars Hotel safe after this morning's chimney fire.

Sixteen people were evacuated from the building early yesterday.

The fire, which is thought to have caused cracking in the upper section of the chimney, is being investigated by the surveyor along with the hotel’s builder in an attempt to discover the cause of the fire and the extent of repairs necessary.

The fire started in the former coaching inn at about 6.30am and guests were evacuated before firefighters arrived.

Fire officials were concerned about the stability of the chimney and surveyors were being asked to assess it. No-one was injured. A fire spokesman said the cause of the fire was not yet known.

Police closed neighbouring Fore Street, and the lane alongside the hotel has been closed while emergency scaffolding is put up.

A spokesman for building control, which is a shared service with West Devon and Teignbridge Councils, said: “When the chimney is opened up it will be much easier to see what repairs will be necessary to ensure that it is made safe as quickly as possible.”