A FAMOUS Whitby fish and chip café regarded as one of the best in the country has been struck by fire twice in 24 hours.

Smoke was seen billowing from The Magpie Café’s roof on Monday afternoon – just hours after firefighters had extinguished a large blaze in the roof area which broke out on Sunday night.

No one was injured as a result of either fire, but the roof of the 18th Century building was badly damaged.

It took 25 firefighters from five crews from Whitby and the surrounding areas around three hours to contain the second blaze, which broke out at around 3.30pm on Monday.

The cafe had been closed as a result of Sunday night’s fire, but the takeaway was open for business and had been busy earlier in the day with queues stretching along Pier Road.

Sunday’s fire was reported at 10.15pm and fire crews battled throughout the night to bring it under control.

Witnesses reported seeing flames coming out of the roof of the distinctive white building late into the night.

It took crews from eight engines several hours to contain the fire in the early hours of yesterday.

Confirming no one had been injured, a spokesman from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said last night: “The fire was located in the roof space of the Magpie fish and chip restaurant business.

“In total, eight fire engines from the surrounding area attended the incident, including a high-reach aerial ladder platform from Scarborough fire station and a crew from Middlesbrough. The crews deployed breathing apparatus and fire-fighting equipment to extinguish the fire.

“Additionally, three officers responded to the incident.

“Fire investigation officers started an inspection of the premises at the time of the fire and the investigation will continue today. At this time, the cause of the fire is still to be determined.”

Statements released via The Magpie Café’s facebook page kept followers updated on the situation before the second fire broke out.

A post from the café early Monday afternoon said: “Thank you to North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and the emergency services for their assistance.

“We’re down there now surveying the damage and will put out a statement when we know more. In the meantime, thank you all for your kind messages.”

A later post said that it was hoped an update on when the restaurant will reopen will be given in the next couple of days.

Much of Whitby came to a standstill when the second fire broke out and many people shared their sympathies for the business owners via social media.

The Magpie Café is renowned for the quality of its fish and chips and has been reviewed by top food critics and chefs, including Jay Rayner and Rick Stein.

The restaurant is co-owned by Ian Robson and Alison McKenzie Slater, the latter being the third generation of her family to have run The Magpie since 1954.

She took the business over in 1990 in partnership with Mr Robson, who has been involved with The Magpie since 1971, returning full-time in 1980.