ROOMS at a fire-hit thatch hotel could re-open as early as next week, just days after 170 emergency services personnel battled to save it.

As previously reported, more than 120 firefighters descended on the Potters Heron near Romsey on Monday night, when a blaze is believed to have started in one of the chimneys.

The fire was described by officials as one of the biggest thatch fires to hit the county in decades.

But bosses at the popular hotel say they hope to partially re-open parts of the complex from next week.

Ted Kennedy, chairman of Pebble Hotels which runs the Potters Heron, said last night: “Due to the fantastic work of the fire brigade and the hotel team there were no injuries and the damage was confined to the thatched roof, some staff accommodation and the bar restaurant.

“The main hotel and function rooms were not affected.

“We are now working with our contractors to check all safety aspects of the hotel and are well on the way with this.

“We expect these checks to be completed by the weekend.

“Once we have the green light we will then fully re-open the bedrooms and function suites which were completely unaffected by the fire.

“The bar restaurant will be relocated within the main hotel building, enabling us to refurbish the damaged restaurant.”

Guests and diners were forced to flee the hotel at about 6pm, with families telling how they were told to leave immediately as they sat relaxing in the restaurant.

Clive Tupin, who lives near the Potters Heron, said: “I have never heard so many fire engines in my life.

“I had just come back from church and followed the fire engines.

“It’s such a shame because it’s such an old building.”

Hampshire Fire and Rescue is launching a “full investigation” into the fire, believed to have started in one of the hotel’s chimneys which then spread to its thatch.

The hotel famously burnt down in November 1966. The Echo reported at the time how the then-owners, Maurice Hewlett and wife Audrey, escaped over the building’s ballroom flat.

They then climbed down a painter’s ladder, minutes before the building exploded into flames.

Sixty firefighters from across the county brought the fire under control.

It took several years to fully re-build.