A deep fat fryer went up in flames at a holiday centre, leaving one person needing medical attention.

Firefighters rushed to Manor Farm Bar and Takeaway at Manor Farm Holiday Centre in Charmouth last night, where they tackled a fire in the restaurant kitchen.

It is believed that the fire started from the fryer.

One person was taken to hospital following the incident, which saw crews from Charmouth, Lyme Regis, Axminster, Bridport, Maiden Newton and Beaminster battle the blaze.

They extinguished the fire using six breathing apparatus, foam, fire blankets and three dry powder extinguishers.

Richard Laugharne, who was staying at the campsite, said: “We heard a lot of commotion and heard the sound of lots of sirens. We came outside about 10 minutes later and saw all the fire engines and a lot of smoke. We didn’t realise it was right on our doorstep.

“The fire service got here very quickly and were coming from everywhere - left and right - but they got it under control quickly.”

Fellow camper Ann Baker said smoke ‘poured’ from the roof of the restaurant.

“I saw lots of smoke coming from the roof and so went outside and there was smoke pouring out from the roof tiles,” said Mrs Baker.

“There were lots of people about and the staff were trying to put it out. It’s very lucky it wasn’t worse. There was a lot of black smoke, it was bad.”

A staff member said the fire ‘could have been a lot worse,’ adding: “The damage was pretty minimal compared to what it could have been. There is smoke damage to the kitchen but luckily it did not reach the club house. It could have been a lot worse.”

Site manager Louise Chipperfield said: “We think it was a chip pan fire in the kitchen. The fire service arrived after about 10 minutes and nobody was hurt. The kitchen is very smoky and the smoke has caused damage.”

A spokesman for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed crews attended The Street in Charmouth shortly after 5pm on Saturday.

They said one person was taken to hospital as a precaution.