Two fire crews from Stevenage put out a chip pan fire at a takeaway in the Old Town last night.
One hose was used to put out the blaze at Salt and Vinegar while staff from other shops in the street were evacuated.
Ian Sharpe, 41, pulled up outside the shop at about 6.25pm and called 999.
He told the Comet: “I saw that the fire was in one of the chip pans, the flames were about a foot high, but within a couple of minutes they were up to the ceiling.
“I called 999 and then told the taxi firm above it and Coral next door.
“There was loads of smoke and the place was black.
“I don’t know how it started, the place has been closed for weeks.”
A spokesman for Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said the fire was out by 6.55pm and that the cause was listed as accidental.
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