''We are truly devastated": Chippy voted one of the best in the UK goes up in flames

The owners of a beloved fish and chip shop say they are 'truly devastated' after a fire ripped through it.

The blaze broke out at The Codfather, in Northwich, at about 11am on Saturday morning. Neighbouring properties were evacuated as firefighters tackled the flames.

Pictures shared on social media showed fire crews at the scene as smoke billowed from the back of the building. The fire is believed to have started in a deep fat fryer inside the Manchester Road chippy, which has previously been declared one of the best in the UK.

READ MORE: 'Counterfeit Street is a ghost town now - don't let it become the new Ancoats'

In a post on The Codfather's Facebook page, its owners said no one had been harmed in the incident.

They added: "Just a note from us at The Codfather, we are truly devastated that our amazing business has set on fire.

"The main thing is all our staff are okay and nobody was harmed although very shaken up. A big thank you to Alan who did his best to save what he could.

"We will be working with the insurance company to get Matthew’s beloved chippy back up and running as soon as we can.

"At this terrible time we would love your support whilst we rebuild our business."

In a statement, a spokesman for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “At 11am on Saturday, May 18, crews were called to a fire in the ground floor of a commercial property on Manchester Road.

“Firefighters used six sets of breathing apparatus, one hose reel jet, a dry powder extinguisher and covering jets to tackle the fire. A thermal imaging camera and a gas monitor were also used to check for signs of the fire spreading to nearby properties.

“The fire is believed to have originated from a deep fat fryer. Neighbouring properties on either side of the building were evacuated as a precaution.”