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Fordham Grade II-listed restaurant building catches fire

BBC Indian Garden building damaged by fireBBC
Residents were told to keeps windows and doors closed if they could smell smoke

About 40 firefighters tackled a blaze that blew the windows out at a Grade II-listed restaurant in the early hours of the morning.

Crews were called to the Indian Garden on Church Street, Fordham, Cambridgeshire, just before 06:00 BST.

Windows "burst open" and the fire engulfed the building "very quickly", an eyewitness told the BBC.

The fire service said two people from a neighbouring property were treated for smoke inhalation.

Emergency services encouraged residents to avoid the area, keep windows and doors closed, and said Church Street was likely to be closed for some time.

Kieran King Building on fire in Fordham, CambridgeshireKieran King
The flames blew the ground floor windows out of the building
Steve Hubbard/BBC Restaurant in Fordham after a fireSteve Hubbard/BBC
About 40 firefighters tackled the blaze at the restaurant

The restaurant's chimneys were being assessed and "for safety reasons" were expected to be removed, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service said.

Steve Hubbard/BBC Drone shot of restaurant in Fordham after fireSteve Hubbard/BBC
A drone shot shows the devastation after the blaze

Kieran King, 24, who lives in the village, alerted 999 when he spotted the fire from his driveway.

He said it was the worst fire he had seen.

Emma Baugh/BBC Kieran KingEmma Baugh/BBC
Nearby resident Kieran King called 999 in the early hours of Monday

Mr King added emergency services arrived within 10 minutes and "got it under control pretty quickly".

Firefighters attended from Cambridge, Cottenham, Burwell and Sawston, along with assistance from Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service.

David Worth Crews fighting the fire in FordhamDavid Worth
Emergency services were called to the scene on Monday morning

The fire service has warned residents in the village that some might experience power cuts as a result of the blaze.

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