PEOPLE were seen “running for their lives” after a Bridport market stall caught fire – destroying two cars.

Emergency services rushed to South Street on Wednesday (20) morning after a creperie stall caught fire – as the stallholder urged people to stay clear after a gas canister became involved in the blaze.

Market shoppers were seen fleeing the scene and taking refuge in shops and offices, while police put up a cordon and firefighters tackled the blaze.

A spokeswoman from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We were called at 9.15am and one crew from Bridport attended the incident.

“There was a fire involving two vehicles and a trailer, as well as a market stall.

“The vehicles and the trailer were completely destroyed. Crews used two sets of breathing apparatus and two hose reel jets to extinguish the fire.” 

Katie Howell was running her Bayside Bakery stall next to the mobile creperie.

She said: “I was right next door. I have had to throw £350 worth of brownies in the bin, as well as my umbrella.

“The guy who ran the crepe place was shouting to me to get back as the gas canister was going to explode.

“I looked and I could see the flames coming out of the gas canister. I realised what was going to happen so I ran up to Bucky Doo Square yelling at people to get back.

“I couldn’t believe how quickly it happened. Within 30 seconds it was very much on fire.”

Claire Wrixton called 999 when she saw the flames engulfing the market stall.

She said: “Me and my three-year-old son were just walking by Battons jewellers when he heard the man shouting and running around and telling people to get out of the way and I saw some flames coming out of his stall.

“He was shouting ‘it’s going to blow’ and people were running for their lives.”

Wendy Fleet, who works at Parkers Property Consultants, could hear the flames taking hold from the back of her office along South Street.

She said: “We heard the crepe man shouting to everyone to stay back.

“We had a look out the window and we could see the flames and everybody was running away from it and going into shops and offices.

“The man who runs the crepe stall deserves credit for getting everybody clear of it really quickly. Had the gas canister exploded, it could have been really bad.”

Photographer Doug Chalk saw the drama unfold from his stall opposite the creperie, describing the fire as a “blazing inferno”. 

Daryl Chambers, Bridport town surveyor and member of the market team, said it was too early to determine how the fire started.

He said: “We have taken statements from everybody to find out what happened.

“We were made aware of it and we were able to make the street safe.”

The fire in South Street, Bridport- Pictures: Mark Parker

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