Delivery driver discovers major fire in Richmond town centre

A delivery driver discovered the fire at 5.11am in Finkle Street and fire engines from Richmond and Colburn were arrived to find the blaze, fanned by high winds, had spread to the first floor of the two-storey building.  

Firefighters use an aerial ladder to tackle the burning roof voids. Picture: J JACK

The flames spread to the roof void of a next-door property and further fire engines were mobilised from Leyburn, Reeth, Bedale, Northallerton, Darlington, Ripon and Masham.

It is understood sandwich shop Tasty Macs and the Urban Spa Retreat beauty salon were worst affected but other properties along the terrace have also been damaged.

Fire crews at the wrecked building. PICTURE: ASHLEY BARNARD

Local residents were evacuated and roads closed.

Two aerial ladders were brought in from Middlesbrough and Harrogate, along with other support appliances from Malton and Northallerton.

Crews were using six breathing apparatus, three hosereels, four jets and aerial ladder water tower to tackle the blaze.

Area is sealed off this morning while fire crews tackle the blaze. Picture: CHRIS BOOTH

Issuing an update at 7.26am, a spokeswoman for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "The fire is spreading laterally to the first first floor of the terraced row of shops and our crews have been committed to the first floor to stop fire spread."

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said the fire started in the early hours of this morning and spread quickly due to high winds.

Picture: DAVID SLOAN

Victoria Road was closed to traffic with a diversion in place via Hurgill Road and Quaker Lane."

Aitch Mitcheson and her husband Ian, from Stockton, were staying in The Unicorn Inn opposite and were woken at 6am.

She said: "We looked out of the window and there were fire engines everywhere and there was no roof on the building involved."

The view from Rosemary Lane. Picture: ASHLEY BARNARD