Firefighters tackle takeaway restaurant blaze

About 40 firefighters were sent to the scene on East Street

Dozens of firefighters have been tackling a blaze at a town centre takeaway restaurant.

About 40 firefighters were sent to the the scene on East Street in Bridport, Dorset, after emergency services were called at 15:50 BST.

The fire started on the ground floor of the building, which has three storeys, and spread to the roof via the ventilation system, Dorset and Wiltshire fire service said.

The service said three people had been evacuated from the building. No injuries have been reported.

Two crews from Bridport, alongside firefighters from Charmouth, Beaminster, Dorchester, Lyme Regis, Weymouth and Blandford tackled the fire at its peak.

The fire is believed to have started in a takeaway restaurant

In a post on Facebook, Bridport Fire Station said the flames were being brought under control and the number of crews at the scene was being scaled back.

The post said it was "likely to be some time yet" before they could leave the scene and urged residents to avoid the area.

A fire service spokesperson told the BBC that East Street was "likely to be closed for some time" while the fire was being extinguished.

The spokesperson added that people in the area should keep doors and windows closed as a precaution.