Pictures show fire crews responding to a fire in a months-old Swindon dessert shop, with an eyewitness describing “crazy flames”.

The fire service responded at around 9.46am on November 29 to The Little Dessert Shop on Clive Parade, Cricklade Road.

AS IT HAPPENED: Witness described 'explosion' as fire crews attend Swindon shop

A small electrical fire under the stairs to the flats above the shop was dealt with using a fire extinguisher, but concerns about possible spread mean that the service is still carrying out checks in the building at the time of writing.(Image: Newsquest)

An eyewitness said: “There was a fire and they [the fire service] smashed the glass to get in.

"There were crazy flames. The woman from the flat above ran down and said 'my flat is burning'”

Firefighters stood in discussion in the smashed glass door of the shop, which was surrounded by a cordon.(Image: Newsquest)

Another neighbour described how the woman, who lives in one of the flats above the shop, ran into their shop crying saying she had been woken up by a fire.

Hazhar Ranya of Mir Barbers said: “I came at 9 o'clock and I smelt smoke inside - we had customers and when I opened the door to the electrics and I saw an explosion and after that, the power was gone. I was scared when I saw the explosion.

"Afterwards this lady came in the shop crying she said she was sleeping and suddenly woke up to a fire."(Image: Newsquest)

The fire led to a power cut affecting local businesses and putting traffic lights out of order on Cricklade Road resulting in heavy traffic

A Wiltshire Police spokesperson said: “Please be aware that the traffic lights on Cricklade Road, in Swindon, are temporarily out of order - due to an electrical fire.

READ MORE: Body found as police cordon off woodland in Swindon

"Engineers are currently at the scene working to resolve the issue, which is affecting all traffic lights from the Moonrakers Roundabout to the Transfer Bridges.”

As well as the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue and Wiltshire Police, SSEN engineers were on the scene trying to restore power. SSEN did not comment.The fire caused heavy traffic queues on the Cricklade RoadThe fire caused heavy traffic queues on the Cricklade Road (Image: Newsquest)

The AA reported that the road was "partially blocked [with] delays due to building fire on A4311 Cricklade Road Northbound near Moonrakers Junction”.

The Little Dessert Shop is a national chain with over 50 stores. It opened on Cricklade Road on Saturday, June 1, replacing the previous dessert store Mylo’s Dessert.

The Little Dessert Shop was contacted for comment.

Help support trusted local news

Sign up for a digital subscription now: https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/subscribe/

As a digital subscriber, you will get:            

  • Unlimited access to the Swindon Advertiser website        
  • Advert-light access             
  • Reader rewards             
  • Full access to our app