A BUSY bistro in Canford Cliffs was evacuated after a fire tore through the kitchen this morning.

At just after 11am two fire crews were scrambled to Harry’s bar and bistro on Haven Road.

Tim Tee, who has managed the popular eatery for the past seven years, said: “I came out of the kitchen for all of a minute and half of the kitchen had gone up.

“We think it started in the extractor fan.”

Mr Tee said thousands of pounds worth of damage had been caused by the fire and he anticipated the bistro would be closed for at least a week.

Staff said they were left devastated and were now trying to make alternative arrangements for customers who have made bookings.

Mr Tee said: “We are due to have a 70th birthday party here on Thursday with 45 guests. People were coming from all over the world for it. I feel really bad about it."

He added: "I'd like to thank the fire service or being so prompt and apologise to the people who had booked parties.”