A CITY bar is facing a race against time to re-open for the weekend following a fire which ripped through part of the building.

Staff at The Haus, in The Wardwick, have been clearing up damage caused by the blaze and hope to open by Saturday.

The bar, in the historic Jacobean House, on the corner of Becket Street, suffered major roof damage to an annexe following the blaze in the early hours of yesterday.

The fire started in a kitchen area on the third floor at around midnight and flames ripped through the annexe of the building, which was only re-opened last summer following renovation.

Bar operator River Bar Leisure took a 20-year lease on Jacobean House last year. The firm could not confirm the cost of the damage and it was unclear how the blaze started.

Karl Sanders, of the company, said: "We are devastated after all the work that has gone into restoring the building.

"We are grateful no-one was injured."

It is believed two members of staff were in building at the time the fire broke out but it is not known if any customers were in the bar at the time.

Around 24 firefighters were involved in tackling the flames. They spent around three hours at the scene.. An investigation was yesterday establishing the cause of the fire but police said it was not thought to have been started deliberately.

Watch Manager Paul Sharp, from Nottingham Road fire station, said: "When we arrived the pub had been evacuated, but we did not know whether anyone was still inside.

" The kitchenette, where the fire started, has been gutted.

"Flames broke through the roof and we had to use the aerial ladder platform to get high enough to tackle them.

"There were at least five appliances, which would have meant around 24 firefighters at the scene. Thankfully, no-one was hurt and the owners were alerted by a smoke alarm.''

Dating to 1611, grade II-listed Jacobean House is believed to be the city's first brick-built building and one of its most haunted. It includes original features including panelled walls, fireplaces – and a reputed 14 ghosts.

Among ghosts reported to haunt the building are a headless coachman driving through the former coach archway, and a woman in a blue dress descending the main staircase.

Its history is only partly certain but it is believed it was originally much larger, with five gables. Formerly known as Gisbourne House, it may have been built by the Gisbourne family, who founded an animal hide business in the 16th century.

Local historian Maxwell Craven said: "In around 1852, part of the building was demolished for construction of Becket Street. Francis Jessop, a former mayor of the city, also lived there at one time."