A BLAZE ripped through Swindon’s Burger King shutting a main route and sending a huge pall of smoke over the town.

Fire crews were seen battling the flames as they broke through the roof of the building on Queens Drive very close to the fire station this evening as families were enjoying their meals. 

One customer who had been evacuated from the restaurant told the Adver: “We were inside the building and an ambulance crew came over and alerted us that there was smoke coming from the building.

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“There was no smoke alarms going off. And some staff came over and told us to get out. I was more worried about getting the kids out.”

Nicola Reed and her family were waiting for a bus nearby as the fire broke out. “We noticed loads of dark thick smoke coming from the roof of Burger King and my partner was just about to run over to the building as he noticed children in there, then the emergency services came.”

People living in the area were asked to close their windows due to the amount of smoke. 

Amy Liddiard, who lives nearby, said: “My kids saw the smoke before going to bed I looked out my window and saw black smoke, came down and then saw all the fire.”

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue service sent five appliances to the scene.The road was closed until around 9.30pm because of the smoke while police and firefighters were dealing with the incident. It is not known whether anyone was injured.

Swindon Advertiser:

The drama attracted a huge amount of comment on our Facebook page.

Samuel Robbins said: “Let’s just think of the poor people that have jobs here and will have to plan to either transfer or find a new job.. this isn’t something to joke about.”

Annalisa Jackson said: “Hoping all the public, as well as ambulance and fire staff are safe. Smoke inhalation must be affecting so many people.”

Charlotte Louise Smith said: “How on earth can there be smoke coming from the roof now, no smoke alarms going off and customers inside?Hope everyone is safe and got out of.”