'Avoid the area' - Fire crews warn as blaze tackled inside Stafford town centre vape shop
Firefighters have tackled a fire at a vape shop in Stafford.
The fire started around 1pm this afternoon (Tuesday) in Cloud Town, Gaolgate Street with flames seen coming from the roof and into the building.
Eight appliances attended the scene from fire stations across Staffordshire and Gaolgate Street, a busy shopping area, was cordoned off to pedestrians until around 6pm.
Nobody was injured in the blaze, with all staff managing to evacuate.
People were urged to stay away from the area.
A Staffordshire Fire and Rescue spokesperson said: "We currently have multiple appliances dealing with a fire at a shop on Gaolgate Street, Stafford.
"Nobody has been reported injured.
"We would urge people to avoid the area while we continue to respond to the incident."
An adjacent pub - The Butler's Bell - also evacuated customers and shut for the afternoon and into the evening.
Fire investigation work is now taking place in and around the vape shop which was gutted by the blaze.
Katie McPhilimey, Associate Marketing Director for Davenports, said: "The Butler’s Bell will be closed this evening, and will be reviewed tomorrow based on smoke damage due to a fire at the vape shop located next door today.
"This has impacted our trading, and assessment overnight will determine if we are able to open tomorrow."
Derek Challinor, from Stafford, was using the Butler's Bell last night and had come back to the town centre to do some shopping.
He said: "It seems amazing to think I was next to the shop last night and the flames this afternoon were spectacular.
"I'm just glad everyone got out ok and nobody was injured because it was a big fire at the height of it."
The fire service has been contacted for further updates.
