An investigation is under way today into a fire which gutted a shop and damaged properties on either side in Wisbech.

An investigation is under way today into a fire which gutted a shop and damaged properties on either side.

Flames tore through Fulcher's Butchers in Norfolk Street, Wisbech, just after 5.30pm yesterday.

Fire crews were dealing with a minor and unrelated fire at the rear of a cycle shop 100 yards or so up the road, when the butcher's shop caught fire.

Assistant Divisional Officer Sean Brown said: “We were around the corner at another fire when the fire at the butcher's happened so we had two appliances here almost immediately.”

ADO Brown said the fire, which totally gutted the first and second floor of the premises, took more than an hour to bring under control.

The Five Bells pub next door and nearby flats at the corner of Norfolk Street were evacuated at the height of the blaze.

Fire crews remained at the scene until after 10pm. ADO Brown said the cause was being investigated.

“We can't rule anything out at the moment, we'll be carrying out an investigation to find the cause.”