“WE WILL re-open.”

Those are the defiant words of the boss of a Hampshire hotel, ravaged by a devastating fire.

The Potters Heron Hotel in Ampfield went up in flames on Monday evening, with 120 firefighters tearing the thatch off in order to save the building.

Manager of the hotel, Ludovic Merleix, praised the work of the 170 emergency service staff who battled to save it, and vowed to keep the building open.

Chairman of Ampfield Parish Council, Bryan Nanson, has said that the fact the building has been saved “is nothing short of incredible”.

Crews were damping down through the night and into yesterday morning, with a fire investigation adding that the cause wasn’t being treated as suspicious.

Cllr Nanson said: “It’s such a sad story.

“I asked the police if we could help in any way, or open up our village hall for guests.

“They said everyone had already been taken away.

“The work of the firefighters is fantastic, nothing short of incredible really.

“They have saved one of the gems for it to still be standing.”

The manager, Ludovic Merleix, said they had received help from neighbouring businesses and he was convinced they would reopen.

He said: “We’re just grateful that everyone is safe and sound.

“We have relocated everybody and we have had help from other businesses.

“It’s too early to evaluate the business but I’m convinced we will re-open.”

Test Valley fire commander Dan Tasker said that thatch fires are “notoriously difficult”, and that the snow had helped to prevent the flames from spreading.

He said: “Thatch roofs are notoriously difficult to tackle. The problem is that it’s designed to keep water out.

“We’re not 100 per cent sure yet what caused the fire.

“At the moment we’re not treating the fire as suspicious.

“It looks as though it started around the chimney.”

Romsey MP Caroline Nokes, praised the bravery of the firefighters who went inside to tackle the fire.

She said: “It is such a shame to see the damage at one of our more unique and historic hotels.

“My thanks, of course, go to the outstanding firefighters, including the local team in Romsey, for what was another example of exemplary bravery.”

Events have been cancelled for the foreseeable future, with Grandma’s Attic collector fair set to hold an event on Sunday.

Chris Brown, of the company, said: “We had been fully booked but we will find another way.”