Businesses evacuated after blaze at chippy
A SHOPPING parade was evacuated by 999 crews after a blaze broke out in a Middlesbrough chippy.
Emergency services were called to Acklam Shops on Wednesday after reports of a fire at the Acklam Fish Bar.
Nearby businesses say they spotted smoke pouring out from the front shutters and rear of the venue – and were swiftly evacuated by officers. A large cordon was erected, with fire crews pictured wearing gas masks and entering the eatery with a hose.
Store workers watched on from behind the police tape after having to close up shop – with witnesses reporting that smoke had travelled across the flats above and into nearby stores.
The North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) confirmed it was sent to the scene but was stood down.
Cleveland Fire Brigade has yet to reveal any details on the potential cause of the fire.
Pictures showed how part of the store’s shutter appeared to have been cut off for firefighters to gain access, with a large hose also spotted in front of the doors.
There also appeared to be some smoke damage to the upstairs window of the venue.
John Rais, from Wayne Paul’s III Barbers, said he was one of the several shops evacuated.
The 64-year-old, from Middlesbrough, said: “I went out the back and could smell it. I couldn’t see flames but just smoke.
“There was more smoke at the back, it was really black. We were evacuated around 10.20am, a police sergeant just came into the shop and told us.”
Kirsty Legg, who works in Morgan’s Bakery, was also asked to leave their venue by police officers.
The Middlesbrough woman said: “I saw the smoke from the flats above the fish shop.
“The smoke had gone through all the upstairs flats apparently.”
The 32-year-old continued: “I was busy working when it all happened. Police came in and shut all the other shops down and told us we had to be behind the line and leave.”
Raheel Ahmed, owner of Bubble Gum vape shop, was waiting for clearance to head back inside when speaking.
He said: “They told us to shut down the shop. We have been waiting for clearance to go back in.
“I wasn’t there, but my staff called me and I got there. I saw smoke and the firefighters had just started the operation.
“There was a lot of smoke on the back side of the shop, which is where the kitchen is.”
After dealing with the incident at the shop, fire crews were captured in several other stores along the parade carrying out enquiries.
A NEAS spokesperson said: “We were called to a fire at a property on Acklam Road, Middlesbrough at 10.55am. We dispatched a clinical team leader, but were not required and were stood down at the scene.”
A fire service spokesperson said: “Cleveland Fire Brigade was called on March 27, at 10.27am to an incident at Acklam Shops, Acklam Road in Middlesbrough. Fire in fish shop.
“Four fire engines were in attendance from Coulby, Middlesbrough, Stockton and Thornaby.
“Two Breathing Apparatus (BA) and one Hose Reel (HR) were used at the scene. We left the incident at 1.11pm”.
The Gazette has attempted to contact Acklam Fish Bar.