The blaze has destroyed the thatched roof on the pub

A total of five tenders and 28 firefighters were called to the thatched 14th Century hostelry in Aberthaw, near Cardiff, at around 1015 GMT on Friday.

The road through East Aberthaw leading to Roose, was shut because of the blaze, which has damaged one of the kitchens, but has left the restaurant at the back is unaffected.

Built in 1380, the Blue Anchor was originally a focal point for the once-thriving trading port of East Aberthaw when the now sleepy area was more important than either Cardiff or Barry, and was busy enough to justify a Customs and Excise presence.

The pub has been open for more than 600 years

The pub had a tobacco drying shed - suggesting that leaves of the lucrative plant were shipped over from America.

The inn was part of the Fonmon estate until 1941, when it was bought by the grandfather of the present owners, Jeremy and Andrew Coleman.

The boys' father, John, passed it on to his sons when he retired from full-time work 15 years ago.

Now aged 80, he still plays an active part in the business, growing most of the fresh fruit and vegetables for the pub's restaurant and bar meals.

"As far as we can work out, the fire started in the chimney and spread to the thatch roof," said Mr Coleman.

"I was in the pub at the time having a cup of tea when two boys who were driving past spotted the fire.

"We called the fire service but by the time they arrived the roof was well alight.

"It is very, very sad.

John Coleman's family have run the pub since 1941

"The restaurant at the back of the building seems to be unaffected but we have lost one of the kitchens.

"I've pulled literally thousands of pints since we have been here and it is very sad to see it like this.

"We are insured but that isn't much comfort.

"I think the wind helped to speed the spread of the fire and it is just typical that the day we would love to have a bit of rain the sun is shining," he added.

Staff employed at the pub gathered near the pub as firefighters tried to dampen down the blaze.

Linda Michael has worked at the pub for the last 22 years.

"I can't believe it, it is so awful," she said.

The pub is known for its traditional ales, and was once named Pub of the Year by the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra). It also won the award Wales Real Fire Pub of the Year' in 2002.