Smoke billows over city centre after fire breaks out at Chinese restaurant

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Smoke billowed over Manchester city centre after a fire broke out at a Chinese restaurant. The blaze started in the kitchen of Lameizi, a Chinese restaurant in Chester Street, shortly before midday today (Monday).

Pictures shared on social media showed plumes of thick black smoke rising from the top of the Quadrangle building above the restaurant. The building, off Oxford Road, is home to a number of apartments and restaurants.

It is thought that the smoke from the fire was sent to the top of the building via an extractor fan. Five fire engines attended and firefighters brought the flames under control.

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One person was treated for burns to their hands. A spokesperson for North West Ambulance Service said paramedics did not take anyone to hospital.

Several pieces of footage from the scene show acrid black smoke from the fire drifting across Oxford Road and other nearby streets.

Lameizi and neighbouring restaurants Nando's and Casa Mexica were forced to close as firefighters battled the blaze. Chester Street reopened shortly before 2pm.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: "At 11.59am on Monday 20 June, firefighters attended a fire at a restaurant on Chester Street, Manchester.

"Five fire engines from Manchester Central Fire Station attended the scene where a fire had broken out in a kitchen at a restaurant.

"Crews used four breathing apparatus, two hose reels and two ventilation units in extinguishing the fire. One casualty is being treated after suffering burns to their hands."

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