Several buildings and shops have been evacuated as crews continue to battle to control a fire at Mcdonalds in Exeter.
A major incident has now been declared after the fire broke out at the fast food chain this morning.
Several roads in the city centre have been closed and the public have been told to stay away from the area.
Smoke can be seen for several miles as the fire brings chaos to the city centre on what is one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year.
The fire is understood to have been caused by a fat vat which caught on fire.
Fire control received a call from the property this morning reporting an oven on fire. Crews arrived shortly before 10.30am.
A spokesman for the fire service said: "The fire was in the ground floor kitchen of three storey commercial property measuring approximately 10m by 30m.
"The incident has been sectorised."
And in the latest update issued shortly after 11.30am, the spokesman added: "Crews now have 10 breathing apparatus sets in use, four hose reel jets, one main jet, hydraulic platform, 13.5m ladder, two short extension ladders and three thermal imaging cameras."
The nearby buildings have been evacuated as well as one level on the Guildhall.
Hugh Griffith, of the Highways department said: "Exeter Guildhall being evacuated due to a serious fire at McDonalds. Various roads are closed around the area."
John Harvey, Exeter city centre manager said there were nine fire appliances on the scene coping with what appeared a "major fire" at McDonald's.
"A number of roads have been closed, including lower High Street from M&S to Fore Street, the section of Fore Street by BHS and North Street, with diversions in place.
A number of retailers have been forced to close, including the Early learning Centre and Wilkinsons, although this will only be temporary I think. The Guildhall itself is open.
"It is one of our busiest Sundays and it is obviously not very good just now but we are hoping it will return to normality and that the damage to McDonald's is not as bad as might appear just now."
Nedarby stores were still open for business including Jack Wills in the old Bank building nearly opposite the McDonald's . "There has been a lot of activity because of the fire and there are loads of crowds watching on but we are still open and busy, " said a spokesman. It was the same at Laura Ashley's which remained open. "It seems very hectic out there just now but we are still open as is Marks & Spencers."
Much of High street was blocked by the fire service's turntable ladder which was playing water on to the roof as smoke continued to billow from the upper floors of the McDonald's Building just as heavy rain began.
As well as eight fire appliances there were special fire fighting engines at the top of South Street.
An independent economic report commissioned by McDonald's to mark its 40th anniversary in the UK, revealed this summer that the business and its suppliers make a combined annual contribution of £3.9m to the Exeter economy.
McDonald's opened its first restaurant in Exeter in the High Street in December 1988. There are now two restaurants employing more than 200 people.
Update as we have them.
