Mrs Nicholls' husband and three-year-old daughter were in the flat above the pub which caught light
An electrical fault is believed to have started a severe fire at a pub in Shrewsbury.
Ten customers were evacuated from The Beaten Track in Old Potts Road, at about 2230 GMT on Tuesday when a bar worker reported smelling smoke.
Staff along with a man and three-year-old child who were asleep in the flat above the pub were also evacuated.
About 50% of the building was damaged by the fire which was put out by 0055 GMT, Shropshire Fire Service said.
'Bad Christmas'
Pub manager Beverley Nicholls said: "We're just gutted, you go through robberies and all sorts but you never anticipate a fire.
"Christmas has been a bit of a let down anyway, because of the weather people don't want to risk slipping on the ice.
"It's been a really bad end to Christmas."
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service investigators said they suspected the cause of the fire was an electrical fault.
