A VILLAGE publican was saved from harm as he slept in a bedroom above a blazing window box.

Mike Garnett was woken by a passing farm worker as a window box caught fire a the 18th century Red Lion in Goostrey shortly before 6am on Saturday.

The passer-by spotted the flames and shouted up to the open window to rouse Mike.

Mike, 65, woke to find his room filled with smoke and believes the wooden box immediately below on the ground floor front window was set on fire deliberately.

He scrambled downstairs as the farm worker began putting the fire out with a hosepipe but left without giving his name as Mike took over putting out the flames.

"Late on Friday night the box was watered and there is no way it could have set on fire of its own accord," said Mike. "Someone must have put something on it inflammable to make it go up as it did.

"It was burning well and smoke was coming into the bedroom when it was spotted but we were able able to put it out with the hosepipe.

Mike Garnett

Mike Garnett suspects the flower window box was set on fire deliberately

"I was fortunate this guy came and woke me up or I could have been suffocated with the smoke and I just feel thankful he saw the fire in time.

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"It gave me a real shock and I would like to thank him and certainly I owe him a pint if he calls in the pub to see me."

Mike's wife, Karen, was away at the time and he was alone on the premises.

The incident happened only a week after he and his wife celebrated their daughter Michaela's wedding at nearby St Luke's church followed by a reception at the Red Lion.

He added: "We had a good night in the pub and I can't believe anyone would be so stupid as to do this.

"Karen was shocked when I told her what had happened. I have reported it to the police as I suspect it was attempted arson."

Mike is appealing to anyone living locally with CCTV to check their cameras to see if they had recorded anyone suspicious in the village in the early hours.

He also asks anyone who might have been passing the Red Lion between 5.30am and 6am on Saturday and saw anything suspicious to contact the police on 101 and quote incident number IML1045075.