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Shop owner praises fire service after city centre fire hits 'unlucky' street

Fire engines on Lower Broad Street. <i>(Image: Toys and Games of Worcester)</i>
Fire engines on Lower Broad Street. (Image: Toys and Games of Worcester)

A BUSINESS owner has praised the efforts of fire service workers for responding to a fire on Broad Street yesterday.

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service responded to reports of smoke coming from a building on Broad Street.

Three fire engines were called to deal with the fire and access from Lower Broad Street to Angel Place was closed off after the fire broke  our just before noon.

 

Tim Evans, of Toys and Games of Worcester, on Lower Broad Street, said the fire service was "brilliant" but said it was another piece of bad luck for the street as it was closed off.

The fire follows the saga of the ongoing scaffolding work outside the closed Poundland stor and well-known shops closing including Knowles Sports.

He said: "The fire service was brilliant, they responded promptly and made sure the area was safe.

"It was a shame that the road had to be blocked off but the important thing is that the fire was tackled and nobody was injured.

"I am just amazed at the run of bad luck that Lower Broad Street has had recently."

READ MORE: Fire crews respond to smoke reports on Broad Street

Worcester News: Tim Evans, owner of Toys and Games of Worcester.
Worcester News: Tim Evans, owner of Toys and Games of Worcester.

Tim Evans, owner of Toys and Games of Worcester. (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Evans said trade was affected for business on Lower Broad Street on what is normally a busy day.

He said: "The road was closed off from around midday until 5.30 pm, but things are all back to normal today.

"Trade was definitely affected on what is normally a busy day in Worcester and I think some other businesses had to close early which is a shame.

"We have the scaffolding which does not seem to be going anywhere, we have 30-year-old block paving when other areas of the city are being revamped, shop closures and now the fire."

A staff member from the New England Country Store told the Worcester News it remained open but had no customers for around four hours.

READ MORE: Mugged Off cocktail bar is coming to The Courtyard

A spokesperson for Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said: "We have three fire engines at the scene on Broad Street.

"We are responding to a report of smoke coming from a building near to Boston Tea Party that was first reported at approximately 11.50pm.

"A small fire was extinguished on the roof of the building and we are still at the scene now investigating."

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service confirmed there were no reported injuries.