Fire rips through Chinese restaurant in Halstead High Street after chip pan goes up in flames

The restaurant, in Halstead High Street, was 50 per cent alight and full of smoke when fire crews arrived at 4.30pm. 

Six engines were sent to the incident and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus battled the blaze. 

Four hose reel jets, two covering jets and one ventilation fan were used. 

Two fire crews from Halstead, one from Sible Hedingham, one from Wethersfield, one from Colchester and two from Braintree attended. 

Update 5.50pm: Crews continue to tackle the blaze, which has spread to the roof voids. The lower part of Halstead's High Street has been closed to traffic and pedestrians. 

Update 6.39pm: The incident commander reports the fire is under control and crews are checking for hot spots using two thermal imaging cameras.

Update 6.51pm: The fire has been extinguished. Firefighters are checking to make sure all hot spots are extinguished.

Assistant divisional officer Paul Gardner, incident commander, said: "At this stage, we believe the fire started after a chip pan caught alight.

"This was a large incident and crews did exceptionally well in preventing this fire from spreading to neighbouring properties. 

"The majority of the restaurant has been saved and is repairable."