A blaze which gutted a historic inn has left 12 people jobless.
As firefighters sifted through the remains of the Grade II listed Rhiw Goch at Trawsfynydd , staff were coming to terms with the impact of the devastation.
Head chef Ben Humphreys, who had been off on Saturday night in the hours before the fire broke out, said: "I got a call at 3am to say the place was on fire. I came down here and there were lots of fire engines here, there was a big fire.
"I have no idea how it happened but some think it may have been a heater or something like that.
"It was a very popular place with locals and visitors and I'm told it was quite busy on Saturday night.
"I don't know what's going to happen next."
Ben said he has worked at the Rhiw Goch since last February and will start to look for a new job in the next few days.
North Wales Fire Service have launched a joint investigation with North Wales Police after the fire engulfed the pub in the early hours of Sunday .
Six fire-fighting appliances, two water bowsers and an aerial ladder platform were used to tackle the blaze.
No-one was injured and fire fighters prevented the fire spreading to adjacent buildings.
Local historian and community councillor Keith O'Brien said the effects of the blaze are far reaching.
"It's difficult to quantify that at the moment. What we have to remember is that 12 people have lost their jobs.
"It is of huge concerns to the owners of the holiday village. Are people going to book their holidays here if there is no where to go for a meal and a pint afterwards," he said.
Marnie Brewster has a cabin at the Trawsfynydd Holiday village near the Rhiw Goch Inn and has been visiting regularly since 1982.
The 70-year-old said: "I'm feeling absolutely devastated. I was here when it happened. I looked up and saw smoke and saw the fire brigade but apparently it started at 12.30 but I didn't hear anything.
"I'm extremely saddened by the whole experience. It's a wonderful hotel and pub and hopefully it will be restored to its former glory. There's so much history and so much part of this area."
Police believe a number of students were staying at the location at the time are keen to hear from them.
Officers are also appealing to anyone who may have filmed the fire on their mobile phone to contact police on 101 quoting reference W146588.
