Shops evacuated following fire at chippy in town centre

Shortly before 11am, smoke was seen coming from The Village Chippy on Market Street, Royton, before the chip shop had opened.

Fire services were called to the scene, and a spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: “At just before 10.55am this morning (Tuesday, December 19) three fire engines from Ashton-Under-Lyne, Hollins, and Oldham fire stations attended a fire at a commercial premises in Market Square, Royton.

“Some surrounding properties were evacuated with a small cordon set up as a precaution while firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used two hose reels to extinguish the fire.

"Crews worked quickly to make the scene safe and were in attendance for one hour and fifty minutes.”

@theoldhamtimes

Shops were evacuated after a fire broke out at a chip shop in Royton town centre this morning (December 19), which saw black smoke fill the air. Shortly before 11am, smoke was seen coming from The Village Chippy on Market Street, Royton, before the chip shop had opened.

♬ original sound - The Oldham Times

Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox by signing up to The Oldham Times’ morning and evening newsletters as well as our breaking news alerts 

Many shoppers and people working in nearby shops were shocked by the fire.

Vicky Dickson and Lynn Barker, who both work in the Keep Active shop next to the chippy, spoke to The Oldham Times.

They say the fire started at about 10.40am and that they could see black smoke coming from the chippy.

The pair said they were outside of the shop for "about an hour" and it took "ages" for the firefighters to deal with the incident.

The pair said they were a little worried the fire would spread to their shop but it did not and there is "nothing wrong" with the Keep Active shop.

Lynn Barker, front, and Vicky Dickson, back (Image: Newsquest)

One witness, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "It was a big ball of black smoke. I didn't know what was on fire, and as I came over, everything [was] cordoned off.

"You couldn't breathe because it was that intense."

Meanwhile, Sandra Jones, who is the assistant manager of the British Red Cross shop just two doors away from the chippy, said the smoke was "quite bad" and that there was a strong smell.

The 65-year-old said it took firefighters roughly 15 to 20 minutes to arrive to the scene.

Sandra Jones, who has worked at the British Red Cross shop for 16 years, said she has never witnessed anything like the fire in her time (Image: Newsquest)

Ms Jones, who lives in Springhead, said: "All the shops next door had to be evacuated.

"Luckily, we're next door but we were all right."

Chris Chestney, a resident of Tandle View Court, Royton, said he first became aware of the incident when he saw the smoke from his flat.

He said: “[I] Just looked out my window in the main living room and saw a load of smoke.

Chris Chestney said he saw the smoke from his flat (Image: Newsquest)

“Consequently, [it] just got worse and worse."

Mr Chestney said he saw "a billow of smoke" and that he has "never seen anything like this before", describing it as "strange".

North West Ambulance Service was approached for a comment.