Flats evacuated after town centre blaze

Around 30 firefighters were called upon after an initial report of fire in buildings above the former Johnson’s Estate Agents building, on High Street, at around 1.45am this morning (21).

Six flats were evacuated as a precaution but firefighters worked quickly to prevent the fire from spreading.

One firefighter said: “This was a very complex building layout and the fire turned out to be in buildings above the Italian restaurant next to the estate agents.

“The quick actions of the initial crews on the scene and the hard work of all firefighters in attendance prevented the fire from spreading to adjacent flats and properties.”

The main body of the fire was in the roof space and firefighters used two aerial platforms to spread water on the blaze from above.

Firefighters remained at the scene until around 6.30am and are expected to return later today to out an investigation into how the fire started.