A TRADER was injured and three businesses wrecked in a fire which caused tens of thousands of pounds damage on Newton Abbot’s Buckland estate over the weekend.

More than 30 fire firefighters tackled the chip shop blaze which quickly spread to neighbouring stores along the Haldon Rise mall on Saturday evening.

Fire investigators are probing the cause of the inferno which damaged five shops after flames erupted in the Goodies Fish Bar while customers were being served just before 8pm.

Six appliances from across South Devon rushed to the scene which was quickly sealed off.

Fire chiefs said quick work by crews prevented the fire engulfing all six outlets in the mall.

‘We were very lucky it did not spread more than it did. The teams did very well because the building was well alight when we arrived,’ said a fire spokesman after the drama.

The fish shop was destroyed with next-door premises Town and Country Laundrette and Chesters Coffee Shop faring equally badly.

Buckland Pharmacy and the post office escaped with smoke and water damage while the Co-op was not affected.

A woman was being served her takeaway when flames erupted from the deep fat fryer.

A gas mains ruptured at the height of the fire which required eight sets of breathing gear to be worn by teams tackling the blaze.

Four hosereel jets were used together with two main jets as well as water from a hydrant.

The chip shop manager was treated at the scene for minor burns before being taken to hospital for a check-up.

Police were called to seal off the area and re-direct traffic.

Firefighters monitored the scene of devastation through to yesterday (sun) morning.

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