A 33-YEAR-OLD man appeared before magistrates today to face a charge of arson in connection with a fire which badly damaged a village pub.

Leigh Meeks, of School Lane, Addingham, did not enter a plea as he appeared at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates' Court following Wednesday's blaze at The Fleece pub in Main Street, Addingham.

The fire broke out at the pub at about 4am and Meeks was arrested in connection with the inquiry later that day before being charged with arson with intent to endanger life.

During the short hearing Meeks, who was wearing a grey jumper and jogging bottoms, confirmed his name, address and date of birth.

Prosecutor Nadine Clough successfully applied to magistrates for Meeks to be remanded in custody.

He will next appear before a judge at Bradford Crown Court on October 8.

Meeks was represented by Upkar Bahia.

Emergency services were alerted to the fire shortly after 4am on Wednesday, with a total of 35 firefighters and six appliances needed to tackle the blaze.

Two chefs sleeping in a flat attached to the building were rescued by firefighters and treated for smoke inhalation

Craig Minto, director of The Well Fed Pub company which owns The Fleece, said afterwards that both of the barns had been destroyed but the kitchen and public areas had only suffered smoke damage.

A notice on the pub's website said yesterday: "We have had the worst news an employer could ever dream of.

"Everyone is safe and well. That is the main thing. Unfortunately The Fleece had a devastating fire rip through the bottom end of our building last night resulting in a huge amount of damage.

"It has been an emotional morning to say the least but we would like to thank everyone who has extended offers of help and their kind words of support. We hope to be up and running again as soon as possible and will of course be keeping you up to date with our progress."