A significant fire in the city center of Sheffield prompted firefighters to advise residents to keep their windows and doors shut as thick, black smoke billowed from a building near Hollis Croft and Rockingham Street. The fire, which is now contained, caused disruptions in the area, leading to warnings for motorists and pedestrians to avoid the vicinity. The cause of the fire remains unknown, and there have been no reports of injuries so far.
Authorities mentioned that the fire, which occurred at a restaurant on Garden Street, did not result in any casualties. As a precaution, Garden Street and Hollis Croft have been closed for a few hours to allow firefighters to continue extinguishing any remaining hot spots. Emergency services, including the Yorkshire Ambulance Hazardous Area Response Team, responded to the incident but did not transport any patients to the hospital.
Witnesses reported seeing flames on the roof of Hot Pot Heroes, a takeaway on Garden Street, and hearing a fire alarm around midday, prompting evacuations shortly after. Initial unconfirmed reports indicated that the fire might have started in a flat nearby.
Images captured the smoke and flames rising from the building in Sheffield city center, creating a visible plume over the area. Fire officials advised nearby residents and workers to keep their doors and windows shut due to smoke, urging people to steer clear of the scene to allow emergency crews to manage the situation safely.