A second fire in six months has hit popular Beehive watering hole The Backbencher. The cause was a metal cutter in the basement as the bar underwent a refit following a blaze that closed its doors in June.

Six fire engines were called to the scene mid-afternoon as smoke billowed from the pub, located across the street from Parliament.

The June fire damaged the bar's trademark Spitting Image-style puppets. 

The Backbencher closed after the June fire. It is currently being refit for a reopening early next year.

There were no immediate reports of injury or major property damage.

Photos by Blair Cunningham, @ColeyTangerina, @peterdunneMP, @FrancisTill