Filming for the highly anticipated HBO Harry Potter series encountered an unexpected setback when a pub used as a location, The Cleave Inn in Lustleigh, Devon, was ravaged by fire. The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning, shortly after production crews had finished their work at the village site.

Emergency services reported "severe damage" after the blaze originated in the pub's storeroom. Luke Smith, the owner of The Cleave Inn, confirmed the closure, which follows a prior temporary closure for the filming itself.

Mr. Smith shared his determination to restore the beloved establishment, stating, "Whilst we are still not certain of the cause of the fire, and how the next few days look, we are working extremely hard to ensure we reopen as soon as possible." He emphasized the pub's importance to the community: "The pub means a lot to the village, and the village means a lot to us, so we'll do everything we can to get these doors back open to our loyal customers." Eight fire engines from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue responded to the scene, and an investigation into the cause is currently underway.

This unfortunate event comes just days after the local community excitedly welcomed the Harry Potter production team to Lustleigh. The HBO series, a faithful adaptation of J.K. Rowling's original books, is currently in production, with filming having commenced in summer 2025.

Fans have been eager for details about the new series. Notably, actor John Lithgow, cast as Albus Dumbledore, was recently seen in full costume on a Cornish beach, adding to the buzz around the show's authentic approach. Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alastair Stout are confirmed as the new Golden Trio. Nick Frost has taken on the role of Rubeus Hagrid. The production aims to explore the beloved storylines with greater depth than the films.