CUSTOMERS enjoying an afternoon lunch in a town centre tea-room were evacuated after two chimneys caught fire.

Dave Gooderham

CUSTOMERS enjoying an afternoon lunch in a town centre tea-room were evacuated after two chimneys caught fire.

Four fire engines, including a turntable ladder from Bury St Edmunds, were called to the Secret Garden Tea Rooms in Friars Street, Sudbury, this afternoon.

Police were also on scene to divert traffic as crews brought part of the town centre to a standstill while they surveyed the safety of the tea room's chimneys.

A spokesman for Suffolk Fire Service said the roof area of the building was checked but investigations found that the fire had not spread.

One customer, who did not want to be named, said: “We were enjoying some lunch at the back of the tea room when we were asked to leave. I believe the owner had put out the fire but the fire-fighters were called and arrived promptly. I think some customers were able to carry on enjoying their lunch.”