Littlehampton Harvester fire: Cause of devastating blaze under investigation as theatre remains closed

Shortly before 9am on Thursday (August 10), a fire broke out in the Harvester’s kitchen and spread to the roof. Fortunately, no one was injured and everyone had evacuated the building in Coastguard Road before firefighters arrived.

Despite heroic efforts from fire crews, the blaze left most of the building destroyed.

"At the height of the incident there were 12 fire engines, two aerial ladder platforms and two water carriers in attendance as firefighters worked hard to bring the fire under control,” a spokesperson for West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said.

“Once the fire was out, crews remained on scene monitoring hotspots using thermal imaging cameras and damping down until 11.06pm that night.

“Fortunately the neighbouring buildings were saved. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.”

The restaurant’s operators, Mitchell & Butler, said – while the site is closed – team members ‘may be redeployed’ to sister restaurants within the group ‘where possible’.

A spokesperson said: “We are currently supporting all team members at this difficult time as we navigate the damage that was caused and the impact that this has had on our team members.

“The business will be closed for the foreseeable future as we assess looking at the next steps for Harvester, Littlehampton.”

In an update on Wednesday morning (August 16), a spokesperson from Harvester added: “We are currently supporting all team members at this difficult time as we navigate the damage that was caused and the impact that this has had on our team members.

“The business will be closed for the foreseeable future as we assess looking at the next steps for Harvester, Littlehampton.”

Arun District Council has also issued an update, confirming that the Windmill Cinema remains closed to the public.

A spokesperson added: “Whilst no damage has happened to the actual theatre auditorium, part of the gable wall of the Harvester has collapsed onto the flat roof of the theatre foyer/kiosk and the building is without the necessary welfare facilities, such as toilets.

“Freedom Leisure, the operators of the Windmill, is doing everything possible to re-accommodate users of the Windmill at alternative sites.

"We will share updates when we have information to share.”

The council said the Windmill Centre ‘shares a party wall’ with the Harvester.

This means that ‘further discussions’ with Mitchell & Butler, are needed to ‘enable the necessary structural assessments’ to be done ‘prior to deciding the safest course of action’ – which is ‘probable dismantling of the Harvester remains’.