Looe fish and chip shop is gutted by fire

The centre of Looe was cut off from pedestrians and traffic for about four hours on Sunday when a serious fire broke out in a fish and chip restaurant in Higher Market Street, East Looe.

Looe fire brigade were assisted by crews, and appliances from Liskeard and Lostwithiel to put out a blaze at Bugsy's which began at 11.30am in the morning when a chip fryer exploded. There was some anxiety about neighbouring properties in the narrow street, because of the intensity of the blaze, which gutted the ground and first floors. However, firemen, some using breathing apparatus brought in from Bodmin, had the fire under control within an hour, and after damping down they eventually left at 4.30pm in the afternoon. More than 30 firefighters had been involved.

Mr David Carter, partner of owner Mrs Pamela Brown, said they were just preparing to open for trade when the explosion happened. 'The fryer just went up and there was nothing we could do, so together with the staff we got out quickly and phoned the fire brigade' he said. 'It was very lucky that no one was hurt, and I don't want to think what could have happened if customers had been queuing at the counter'.

Mr Carter could not put a price on the damage which will run into thousands, but said he was devastated. 'It has been a very short season for us. I doubt if we will be able to open again this summer'.

The neighbouring and newly opened wholefood shop "The Spice Of Life", owned by Fiona Monk and Matthew Reid has lost all its stock due to smoke damage, and as they were closed at the time, firefighters broke into their shop because at one stage they suspected it had also caught fire. Brewers the ironmongers has also had some smoke damage.

Looe mayor Dave Bryan commented on the pulling together of the local community in times of crisis, after being told that the Smugglers Cott Restaurant had supplied all the firemen with cool drinks throughout and even gave all of them a free Sunday roast lunch from their carvery. 'That is typical of the generosity of Looe' he said, 'and I thank the owners and their staff for their good spirit'.