Updated
Cashino in Wisbech gutted by large Market Place fire
First photo of the fire at Cashino, Wisbech, tonight - Credit: Archant
Fire crews from Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Lincolnshire have tackled a large blaze at Cashino in Wisbech.
The fire broke out at around 6.15pm today (Friday, April 22).
Pictures show the shop front on Market Place engulfed in flames, with smoke visible throughout the town.
An eyewitness said it appeared as though the fire was brought under control quickly.
"Thankfully, I don't think there were any casualties," they said.
The building was gutted in the blaze.
Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service said eight pumps, an an aerial appliance and the incident command unit attended.
Most Read
- 1 Green light for park and ride, drive throughs and offices near Norwich
- 2 Police called to 'altercation' between pupils at Norfolk school
- 3 Weather warning as thunderstorms set to hit Norfolk
- 4 'It's just not viable anymore' - Pub near Great Yarmouth closes
- 5 Norfolk holiday cottage business sold to a leading lettings agency
- 6 Long delays after person cut out of car on A1065
- 7 Tractor stopped on A11 found to have faulty brakes
- 8 'God's waiting room' - Norfolk town is country's pensioner hotspot
- 9 'We will always miss you' - tributes to QEH pharmacist who died in A47 crash
- 10 Lloyds to close bank in Norwich suburb
Firefighters and Cambridgeshire Police officers urged members of the public to avoid the area.
Cashino runs adult gaming centres throughout the country, which feature bingo machines and tablets.
In Wisbech, Fenland District Council gave the owners of Cashino planning permission for a second town centre gaming unit in summer 2021.
Cashino is in the process of rebranding, and is rolling out its new Merkur Slots brand.
The company plans to take over the empty shop formerly occupied by Hughes Electrical at 48-49 Market Place.
It currently operates the gaming centre at 5 Market Place, where the fire started.
Cashino says its outlets are not betting shops since fixed odds betting terminals are not on offer.
Instead, the company says its machines offer "low stakes of between 10p and £2 - the average stake from customers is 30-40p".