ON FIRE: Smoke billows from the Backbencher pub.
A fire has broken out at Wellington's Backbencher Hotel just months after a fire seriously damaged the pub.
A Fire Service spokesperson said nine fire engines were at the Molesworth St scene, including one aerial (cherry picker) unit.
Firefighters were attempting to gain access to the second floor to check if anyone was trapped, she said.
The fire was spread over an area of about 15m by 15m and centred on the ground floor. The interior was badly blackened.
Firefighters had entered the building and were working with chainsaws and breathing apparatus.
A large crowd of onlookers had gathered, with the parliament buildings directly opposite the pub.
Witness Ketan Magan said he was at work in a meeting when he and colleagues saw a large amount of smoke billowing from the pub.
In June, a fire took hold of the politically-themed pub and restaurant causing major damage to the kitchen and interior.
The pub had been under refurbishment and had this week announced it would re-open in February 2013.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/7764140/Backbencher-pub-on-fire
ROLLING OUT THE HOSES: Firefighters near the entrance to the Backbencher, which caught fire this afternoon.
BLAZE: Damaged puppets could cost $10,000 to replace.
