Shop owners rush to tackle fire at The Major Plaice fish and chip shop in Ewell High Street

Crews from four fire stations spent nearly three hours putting out the fire at The Major Plaice in the Market Parade in Ewell after a fire broke out in the kitchen today (Tuesday, October 4).

An unspecified number of patients were taken to Epsom General Hospital after being treated for "slight" smoke inhalation.

There was “extensive damage” inside the shop, according to a spokesman from Banstead fire station, with the majority of the damage being wrought in the kitchen, where the fire started.

The owner of a business across the road said the shop front did not appear to be damaged.

Pic credit: David Brooks, Bourne Hall museum

Sejal Patel, the co-owner of Ricky’s Ewell Spring Pharmacy next door to The Major Plaice, said she had heard the chip fryer had caught fire.

Ms Patel said: “We all ran out with our fire extinguishers and everyone was pretty much evacuated.”

David Hall is owner of the Kapre Lounge, a family-run vape shop across the road from The Major Plaice.

He told the Epsom Guardian he had a busy morning so had not had a chance to take a proper look at what was going on, but had seen smoke pouring out of the shop.

“The outside doesn’t look affected at all,” he said.

“I think it was all internal.”

Pic credit: David Brooks, Bourne Hall museum

Six firefighters from Banstead, Esher, Leatherhead and Sutton fire stations were wearing breathing apparatus to protect themselves from the smoke while they fought the fire with hoses.

The four crews were called at 10.09am.

A spokesman from Banstead fire station said: “While we commend the efforts (of the shop owners who initially tackled the fire), people should be reminded that fire extinguishers are only suitable for tackling small fires.

“People should never put themselves in danger when tackling a fire and make sure that help is summoned prior to doing so.”

A South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) spokesman said paramedics treated an unspecified number of people for "slight" smoke inhalation at the scene.

A patient, or patients, were then taken to Epsom General Hospital for further treatment, according to the spokesman.

Fire in village chip shop under control but all Chessington Lodge pupils have been evacuated to Glyn House as a precaution. All pupils safe.

— Ewell Castle School (@EwellCastleUK) 4 October 2016

Pupils at the Chessington Lodge at nearby Ewell Castle School were evacuated as a precaution. A spokesperson for the school tweeted that all pupils were "safe".

More to follow.

Are you in the area? Get in touch at craig.richard@london.newsquest.co.uk