Firefighters battled a potentially “catastrophic” fire at a cafe in Epsom High Street that blanketed the town with smoke and caused gridlock on the roads.
A woman suffered burns to the face, according to a spokesman from the South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb).
The fire at small La Piccola spread through the roof space to adjoining Lloyd’s pharmacy and Epsom Hub. A spokesman from Banstead fire station said the café’s kitchen was “severely damaged”.
Epsom High Street was expected to be closed until 7pm and there were "long delays in all the surrounding roads", Surrey Police advised.
Firefighters had to keep crowds in the Market Place away from small La Piccola, in order to divert resources to the fire.
Surrey Fire and Rescue sent 12 engines and an aerial platform ladder to the cafe after being called at 1.30pm yesterday (Thursday, December 8).
A spokesman from Banstead fire station said: “Everyone was just standing there filming and looking and didn’t want to move.
“They thought we were trying to ruin their Christmas fun.”
He added: “It was quite complex (to deal with) because it spread quite quickly in the roof space.
“They managed to stop it, which was a great stop because it could have been really catastrophic.”
SFRS currently attending a fire at a retail premises in the High Street #Epsom - 8 fire engines & special appliances in attendance
— Surrey Fire & Rescue (@SurreyFRS) 8 December 2016
In pictures and videos uploaded to social media, smoke can be seen billowing across the Market Place and into the High Street.
Jane Race, managing director of Southern Tutors, told the Epsom Guardian: "There were lots of people watching the fire brigade.
Pic credit: Louise Gallay
"Firemen were trying to keep people at a distance as they were worried about the windows going.
"There are still lots of fire engines arriving at the scene, but it's difficult for them to get close with traffic and the market."
She added: "I can't really see very much - just lots of grey smoke."
Danni Boxall, a second year History and Politics student at the University of York, was walking through Marks & Spencer's with a friend when they heard the alarm go off.
"Once we left the shop we could see black smoke coming from above," she said.
"There were lots of people crowded around the market taking photos of the smoke.
"We couldn't see flames as they seem to be coming from inside."
She added: "The town is now covered in smoke and police have cordoned off the whole market area."
SECAmb had one ambulance outside La Piccola and have treated one person for smoke inhalation, and a woman who suffered facial burns. The service was called at 2.15pm.
Emergency services dealing with the fire caused traffic delays, queueing traffic and bus diversions around the town centre.
Avoid Epsom town centre, the high street is completely blocked between South Street and Spread Eagle, Ashley Rd junction due to a fire
— Tony Axelrod (@tonyepsom) 8 December 2016
Routes 166, 293, 406, 418, 467 and 470 are on diversion southbound due to a London Fire Brigade investigation at Ashley Avenue, Epsom.
— TfL Bus Alerts (@TfLBusAlerts) 8 December 2016
Epsom High Street is expected to be closed until 1900hrs. There are long delays in all the surrounding roads. Please avoid the area.
— Epsom & Ewell Police (@EpsomEwellBeat) 8 December 2016
Two relief crews from Surrey Fire and Rescue are in the Market Place this morning.
Are you in the area? Get in touch at craig.richard@london.newsquest.co.uk or on 020 8722 6483.
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