A NIGHTCLUB boss evacuated almost 400 revellers from his premises after a fire broke out in a chimney stack.

More than 250 clubbers at Galahads in Warmingham Grange were led to safety along with 120 diners in the Lancelot restaurant after Chris Wright ordered them out in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Two firefighting crews arrived to tackle the blaze which caused £20,000 worth of damage - watched by customers, many of whom were wrapped in table cloths to keep warm

Mr Wright said: "We were very lucky. A kitchen porter was emptying a bin at around 12.50am on Sunday when he noticed the flames.

"It had broken out in a chimney above the west wing of the building which was furthest away from the public. But it was creeping along the guttering towards the main roof.

"The fire brigade got here very quickly and the customers stood outside and watched the fireworks. It was very cold and many of the women were wrapped in tablecloths to keep warm.

"One crew used a hose on the outside while another went through to the second floor. If it had started an hour later, I would have been dead because I live on the top floor."

Mr Wright believes a stray spark from the fire in the restaurant grate ignited a bird's nest in the chimney of the School Lane building.

"People couldn't go back into the club but we were open for business at the lunchtime - the show must go on," he added.

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