A call for action has been made after a derelict pub devastated by fire still sits empty two years on as a liability row over the blaze rumbles on.

On the night of March 23, 2022, the Haven Bridge pub on Bridge Road went up in flames.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Haven Bridge pub on fire in March 2022. Picture - Angel Lala EsherwoodHaven Bridge pub on fire in March 2022. Picture - Angel Lala Esherwood (Image: Angel Lala Esherwood)Almost two years after the fire, the ruined building remains almost untouched, with scaffolding surrounding the property. The bill for the structural supports - which currently stands at more than £400,000 - remains unpaid as a liability dispute continues.

The site's future is set to be debated behind closed doors by councillors at next week's Great Yarmouth Borough Council scrutiny committee meeting. The debate will determine whether the issue is added as an item on the council's works programme.

The ongoing saga may then be addressed an at open debate at the Town Hall in March.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Two years following the blaze, the Haven Bridge pub remains virtually untouched. Picture - Oliv3r Drone PhotographyTwo years following the blaze, the Haven Bridge pub remains virtually untouched. Picture - Oliv3r Drone Photography (Image: Oliv3r Drone Photography)Michael Black, manager of the unpaid KB Scaffolding, said he had been "overwhelmed by public support" over the ongoing dispute.

Mr Black said: "We have not received any payment.

"But we continue to monitor the integrity of the scaffolding weekly and recently strengthened it due to movement on the building.

"Without the scaffolding, this building would probably have collapsed with the weather we have had in past months."

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Scaffolders improving the front of the burnt out Haven Bridge pub. Picture - KB ScaffoldingScaffolders improving the front of the burnt out Haven Bridge pub. Picture - KB Scaffolding (Image: KB Scaffolding)Liability for the payment has been contested since mid-2022. Mr Black believes Great Yarmouth Borough Council is liable as he says he was requested to install the scaffolding as an emergency measure by a council officer.

The council has refuted this claim and believes the pub's leaseholder, Martin Bennington, is liable.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: More scaffolding has recently been added to the building after concerns of its possible collapse were raised. Picture - Oliv3r Drone PhotographyMore scaffolding has recently been added to the building after concerns of its possible collapse were raised. Picture - Oliv3r Drone Photography (Image: Oliv3r Drone Photography)Mr Black said he was currently taking legal action.

The council is currently assessing and considering options for the property. The ongoing work will include a structural survey.

On the night of the fire, one fire officer said the building had "gone up like a candle" and that it was the largest amount of flames he had ever seen, with flames visible from the Acle Straight.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: A large fire ripped through the roof of a vacant Haven Bridge pub in Great Yarmouth on March 23, 2022. Picture - Roman Stevie HendersonA large fire ripped through the roof of a vacant Haven Bridge pub in Great Yarmouth on March 23, 2022. Picture - Roman Stevie Henderson (Image: Roman Stevie Henderson)