A pub in Weymouth had to be evacuated due to a fire.

The incident happened at The Old Ship at Upwey on Wednesday night.

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service was called at 8pm.

A spokesman for the fire service said: “One crew from Weymouth, two crews from Dorchester and the aerial ladder platform from Weymouth attended.

“Crews found a small fire in a light fitting and lagging above. The fire was extinguished by removal. The stop message was received at 8.27pm and all crews were back to their stations by 8.45pm.”

Kate Knight, the pub’s licensee, said the fire started in the skittle alley due to a problem with a set of lights.

She added: “The fire alarm went off and the pub had to be evacuated. Luckily it wasn’t raining.”

Station manager Sean Blizzard, who attended the incident, said: “This was a small fire, but I would like to take the opportunity to remind people to ensure light fittings and halogen lamps have space around them to allow them to cool down after use.”