SIX travellers forced the brief closure of an Elstead pub on Saturday evening, after an altercation with a firefighter. It is understood the group broke beyond an enforced fire cordon - established due to the Thursley Common fire - to race a horse and trap. Upon discovering the group, a firefighter was threatened with a horse whip, and at the request of Surrey Fire and Rescue Services (SFRS), the police were called. The horse trap was then driven at police officers who attended on foot, before the group moved to The Woolpack pub in Elstead at approximately 6 pm. Officers who attended were threatened with violence and the pub was temporarily closed under article 179 of the Licensing Act. A police support unit, including officers wearing full protective clothing and carrying shields, attended the scene to bring the situation under control. Eyewitnesses claim that there was damage caused to trees on the green and that tear gas was used during the fracas. The six men - aged 25, 35, 37, 42, 45 and 46 - were arrested for violent disorder and taken to Farnham Police Station, before being bailed on Sunday pending further police enquiries. "Although this violent behaviour related to the fire, the group involved is not suspected of causing the original fire," said a spokesman for the police. "It was a bit of a to-do, really," said a source fromThe Woolpack. "The pub closed for about an hour or so, until police cleared them away. They were fine when they were here, but previously they had barged through a barricade and one of them had allegedly hit someone from the fire brigade. "The police brought the riot squad with them, so they were obviously expecting trouble," she added. Dennis Holmes, the chairman of Elstead Parish Council, said: "We just hope that people don't keep doing this in our village. On behalf of the council, I would like to thank the police for their response which was a very efficient performance." • On Sunday in Elstead, a 32-year-old man was arrested for criminal damage and assault. The man was issued with an £80 fixed penalty notice for disorderly behaviour and has been released from custody.