STAFF and residents had a lucky escape after a blaze broke out in a fish and chip shop in Swanage.
The Fish Plaice and three flats above were severely damaged as a result of the fire on Friday night.
A total of ten fire crews from Swanage, Blandford, Ferndown, Springbourne, Bere Regis, Poole, Hamworthy, Weymouth and Westbourne were called to The Square at 7pm.
On arrival they found the four-storey building had been evacuated and no injuries sustained.
The takeaway was well alight and the flames were spreading up through the ducting of the 25-metre high block.
More than 50 firefighters fought for nearly three hours to control the blaze.
Using equipment including breathing apparatus, hose reel jets, main lines and CO2 extinguishers they to cut into the heavily smoke-logged first floor property to extinguish the fire.
Fire chiefs are unsure as the cause of the blaze which caused severe fire damage to the take away and smoke damage to the three flats above and an adjoining building. They are now investigating.
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