A HUGE fire has completely destroyed a fuel station and shop in Richmond.

Large plumes of smoke could be seen across the town and beyond after the fire broke out at the Nisa Local fuel station and shop in Victoria Road, at around 2.30pm today.

At least four four crews, plus a major incident team, two ambulances, military and police were on hand to assist in tackling the blaze and keeping local people safe.

Road blocks were put in place and members of the public moved away from the area as flames grew stronger, causing major traffic jams and crowds of people on nearby streets.

It is understood it may have been caused by an electrical problem at the rear of the shop.

Neil Shaefer, who was in town, picking his son up from a youth training camp at Richmondshire Cricket Club, said: “You could see the smoke from quite far away and when I got to the cricket ground the police had cordoned off the area.

“My son said they heard a noise which sounded like fireworks going off. I didn’t see any fire when I was there but there was lots of thick smoke and the firefighters were using lots of water. It was hard to tell where the fire has actually started but it looked like it had definitely gone into the roof of the building. I was meant to bring my son back for junior cricket club training tonight but that has now been cancelled in the interests of safety.”

Witnesses gasped with shock as the flames took hold of the roof and debris fell close to where the firefighters were. Police soon moved onlookers away from the cricket grounds, Ronaldshay Park and surrounding roads.

Yorkshire Water has reported lower water pressure in the DL10 area due to the amount being used on the fire.