Huddersfield village restaurant 'closed for months' after devastating late-night fire

-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


A popular restaurant in a Huddersfield village looks set to be closed for months following a devastating fire.

Firefighters were called to Cafe Oi in Peel Street, Marsden, last night following reports of smoking billowing from a rear single-storey building which is understood to be used as a kitchen.

A number of residents were asked by fire crews to leave their homes as the fire was dealt with.

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Cafe Oi only opened in July after a £50,000 investment. It has garnered many positive reviews for its Asian-style street food and welcoming atmosphere.

This morning, Cafe Oi's owners, Mollie Davies and Maisie Power, posted on social media, saying: "The restaurant won't be open for the foreseeable few months.

A building at the rear of Cafe Oi was damaged by fire and smoke, according to neighbours
A building at the rear of Cafe Oi was damaged by fire and smoke, according to neighbours

"We had a devastating fire last night just after we closed.

"There aren't really any words to described what we are going through right now. We are sorry to cancel any bookings right now. Mollie and Mais x."

The alarm was raised just before 11pm by June Barrowclough, who lives next door to the restaurant in a flat above her shop, Bits and Pieces. June said she was about to go to bed when she saw smoke coming from a building at the back of Cafe Oi.

"I could see smoke billowing from the roof and I could hear banging noises which I think could be things breaking inside.

Cafe Oi, Marsden, in July 2024 shortly after it opened following a £50,000 investment
Cafe Oi, Marsden, in July 2024 shortly after it opened following a £50,000 investment

"I ran into the lounge and phoned the fire brigade. They turned up very quickly - about five minutes. Firefighters said they were going to evacuate everybody from Peel Street and banged on some doors. A couple and myself (were evacuated). They told us to get out and forced their way into Oi."

June said she felt 'devastated' but also relieved that the fire hadn't spread to her own house. "I keep thinking about it. I'm a nervous wreck. I keep thinking that if I had fallen asleep and not woken up."

She added: "It's upsetting for the two ladies (at Oi Cafe) and upsetting if my place had gone up."

June said her upstairs accommodation now smelled of smoke, although she said the downstairs was 'fine'.

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