Southwold: Gas cylinders explode in harbour fire

Firefighters were called to Blackshore Quay in Southwold at 00:50 BST

About 50 firefighters have tackled a blaze at a seaside town in which gas cylinders exploded.

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said it was called to Blackshore Quay in Southwold at 00:50 BST on Monday.

All wooden buildings were well alight and extensive damage has been caused to two fish and chip shops and eight fishermen's huts, the service said.

Fire crews are still at the scene and Ferry Road is closed off as investigations get under way.

No injuries have been reported.

The fire service has asked the public to avoid the area.

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said they worked hard to stop the fire spreading

Station manager Mel Buck said the cause of the fire has not yet been ascertained

Station manager Mel Buck said when crews arrived they were faced with a "well developed fire" in one of the buildings which had spread to sheds either side.

He said the gas cylinders exploded during the fire which firefighters "quickly tackled".

"I'm sure it was heard around Southwold but the public were never in danger at any time," he said.

"Some [buildings] are unfortunately totally destroyed and some have partial fire damage.

"Because the crews worked so hard they were able to put a stop in quite quickly and stop the fire spreading as much as we could."

The fire service said all wooden buildings were "well alight"

He added that "everything is totally unexplained" and the fire service was "not looking at anything suspicious".

"We can't actually say what caused the fire or what caused the rapid spread at the moment," he said.

"Our fire investigators and the police will have a look and ascertain the cause."

Extensive damage has been caused to two fish and chip shops including Mrs T's

Staff at one of the shops affected said they were "completely heartbroken".

In a Facebook post, Mrs T's Fish and Chips said it was "not the news we wanted to get woken up to".

"We want to thank the Fire team for all their hard work throughout the night to put the blaze out," the post said.

Mrs T's Fish and Chips staff said they wanted to "thank all of our customers for their kind words and support" after the pictures emerged on social media

An eyewitness named as K Godward said she was awoken just before 01:00.

"It was very scary," she said. "[I] heard two loud explosions, the second was loudest.

"We all have gas on the nearby caravan site so it's always a worry if you hear an explosion, you just want everyone to be safe."

People nearby have said they were woken by loud bangs

Martin Blake, who is staying on the nearby caravan site, said: "Initially there was a relatively quiet bang which didn't affect the caravan at all then there was a big thud which made the caravan shake, it felt like someone had reversed into [it].

"I looked out of the window and could see the fire going then.

"It's a shame because they are two of the best fish shops in town... at least nobody was hurt."

Martin Blake said the second bang made his caravan shake