History has repeated itself at a famous Oxford pub that has been severely damaged by fire.

More than 100 firefighters worked throughout last night after a blaze started at The Perch in Binsey Lane just after 4pm.

The damage caused is similar to that caused 30 years ago at the pub, near Port Meadow, when an electrical fault sparked a fire.

Fire investigation officers tonight told the Oxford Mail the cause of the latest fire was accidental.

Investigators have also ruled out the involvement of animal rights activists, which had initially been suspected.

Fire investigator Grahame Mitchell said: "We carried out tests on one of the chimneys and found a defect there which would have sparked the fire."

Two customers and six staff were in The Perch at the time of yesterday's fire and managed to escape before firefighters arrived to hose down the thatched roof.

Today, staff returned to assess the damage, as firefighters completed their investigation.

Mr Mitchell said they were able to rule out links to animal rights groups at an early stage, adding: "It was a possible line of inquiry because Oxford college Christ Church owns The Perch, and Oxford University buildings have been targeted in the past by animal activists carrying out arson attacks, but it was a tenuous link."

Charles Gee, the owner of Medley Manor Farm, which is next to The Perch, visited the site to see the damage. Two of his barns were burned down in February and October last year.

Mr Gee said: "The whole village is devastated by this. The new manager, Johnny Mignon, had done such a wonderful job fitting the place out and we all feel so sorry for him.

"This old pub means such a lot to us - it's right at the heart of the community and we had our harvest festival supper in the pub last year."

Bob Cockburn, 61, who works as a cleaner for Mr Mignon, and sings and plays the guitar in the pub, said the upstairs floor where Mr Mignon was staying was destroyed.

He added: "His living accommodation is totally gutted and it's such a shame because Johnny had worked so hard to turn this place around.

"My step-daughter was supposed to be getting married here soon but now she will have to look for somewhere else."

Bar manager Stephan Nakamura, 22, arrived at the pub this morning to help staff get their possessions from the staff room and to get his car out of the car park, which is covered with debris.

He said: "Johnny was very upset last night so I have been trying to coordinate things here and help the police and fire brigade.

"Smoke started to build up in the restaurant after coming from the fireplace on the right-hand side of the bar area as you walk in through the front door.

"I ran downstairs from the office to see what could be done but by that time the gardener had already thrown a bucket of water over the flames.

"Embers may have been forced up the chimney but it's strange because the fire seemed to originate at the base of the other chimney."

Head chef Pascal Ufferte added: "It's so upsetting to see the pub like this. All the staff tried to help when the fire started."

Toby Shergold, a spokesman for Thames Valley Police, ruled out a connection between the barn fires and the fire at The Perch.

He said a man arrested and charged with the arson attacks was facing sentence later this month.

Mr Shergold added: "At this time, we are not treating the fire at The Perch as suspicious but we are waiting for the fire investigator's report.

"Officers have attended to help secure the site so that the investigation can take place, and to ensure public safety."