Bridal shop hit by blaze

A bridal shop blaze in Wolverhampton city centre caused thousands of pounds worth of damage today, ruining at least 30 wedding dresses.

Firefighters had to break in through the window of Last Minute Bridal as toxic smoke billowed from the back of the shop.

The store's manager discovered the blaze when she opened up this morning, but called 999 after fumes forced her to abandon efforts to put it out with a fire extinguisher.

Display items were ruined but around 30 dresses which were waiting to be picked up escaped with smoke damage as they were kept upstairs.

Staff are planning to have them cleaned and believe no brides will have their plans affected.

At least one worried couple rushed to the store, on the corner of School Street and Fold Street, but bosses have pledged that they will be able to honour all their commitments.

The blaze is thought to have been caused by an iron being left on or electrical fault at the back of the building.

Fold Street was closed following the fire, which was discovered at around 10am, but was expected to reopen this afternoon

Owner Andrea Burnett, aged 33, was visibly upset at the destruction today but pledged to contact customers as soon as possible with news.

"We're going to do our best to help brides and sort it out as quickly as possible," she said.

Station officer Dave Genders, from Merridale Street, said: "It's extremely damaged by smoke and there's significant fire damage at the rear of the building.

"The upstairs is severely smoke logged.

"We are still looking at what might have causes the fire."

Nicola Karkovskis and Stuart Bagley, of Tettenhall, who are getting married in two weeks, turned up to see the damage. Nicola was told her dress was smoked damaged and she may have to have a replacement.