The landlord of the Tollington Arms has warned it could take months for the beloved Arsenal pub to reopen after a basement fire — calling the situation “heart-breaking” after 20 years of hard work.
Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters tackled the blaze at the Hornsey Road pub in the early hours of Friday, October 9. Landlord Martin Whelan, his partner Louise, and two others had left the building by the time crews arrived, soon after the 12.53am call.
Key facts
- What: Basement fire at the Tollington Arms, Hornsey Road, Finsbury Park
- When: 12.53am, Friday October 9
- Response: Four fire engines, around 25 firefighters
- Damage: Section of flooring damaged; one person suffered smoke inhalation
- Reopening: “It will be a miracle if this pub is open within four months”
“The pub is condemned”
A section of flooring was damaged after part of the basement caught fire. Mr Whelan says one person suffered “a bit of smoke inhalation” but they were otherwise unhurt.
He said a forensic investigation is now underway and “until that happens the pub is condemned”.
“The investigation team found something underneath the pub buried under pyro cable — possibly dating back to when it was built 150 years ago,” Mr Whelan said. “They cut it out with bolt cutters and took it away. First thing is forensics but this is all going to take time — it will be a miracle if this pub is open within four months.”
Heartbreak after the best year
“We are completely heartbroken and devastated after 20 years hard work,” Mr Whelan said. “It’s soul destroying after having the best year and winning the Premier League.”
The Tollington Arms is popular with Arsenal fans and was a focus of the public celebrations when the team paraded the Premier League trophy through Islington on May 31.
Mr Whelan says the “whole world” has been ringing to wish the pub well, including Arsenal players. But he fears that if the fire had been worse, the outcome could have been devastating.
Timeline: from fire to warning
- Friday October 9, 12.53am: Fire breaks out in the basement; four engines and 25 firefighters attend
- Saturday October 10: Pub confirmed closed temporarily; initial damage assessment
- Wednesday October 14: Landlord warns reopening could take months as forensic investigation continues
Why the forensic investigation matters
When a fire’s cause isn’t immediately clear — or when investigators find something unexpected, like the centuries-old material discovered under the pyro cable — a full forensic examination is standard procedure.
Until investigators complete their work and the building is declared safe, the pub cannot reopen. For a 150-year-old building, that process involves structural assessments, electrical safety checks and potentially extensive repairs.
The “condemned” status means the building is officially deemed unsafe for occupation — a necessary but painful step that protects everyone while the investigation runs its course.
What it means for the community
The Tollington Arms isn’t just a pub — it’s an institution for Arsenal supporters and a fixture of the Hornsey Road community. Matchdays without it will feel wrong for regulars who’ve made it their pre-game ritual for years.
For the local high street, a months-long closure means lost footfall, lost jobs for staff, and a gap in the area’s social fabric. Pubs like the Tollington are community anchors; when they close, the whole street feels it.
The outpouring of support — from Arsenal players to regulars to well-wishers around the world — shows how deeply the pub is loved. That goodwill will matter in the months ahead as Mr Whelan and his team navigate the long road back.
The road to reopening
Four months is the landlord’s best-case hope — and he calls even that a miracle. The forensic investigation must finish first, then repairs, then safety certifications, then restocking and rehiring.
For a pub that just enjoyed its best year, the timing is cruel. But if anyone can bring the Tollington back, it’s a landlord with 20 years of hard work behind him and a community firmly in his corner.
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