MORE than ten emergency service crews attended the restaurant fire in Charminster Road this weekend.

It took 14 breathing apparatus wearing firefighters to put out the blaze which severely damaged Mimi’s African Restaurant on Saturday afternoon.

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire Service said they were called at 3.28pm to the incident, which was attended by crews from Redhill Park, Springbourne, Westbourne, Ferndown and two each from Christchurch and Poole. This was in addition to an incident support unit from Dorchester and a British Red Cross vehicle from Springbourne.

Several police officers were also at the scene, manning the cordon which was put in place between Malmesbury Park Road and Shelbourne Road, causing traffic and public transport diversions.

An ambulance crew also attended the incident and treated Charminster Road resident Jayne Kemish who, as reported, passed out after suffering smoke inhalation.

A Dorset Fire spokesperson said: “On arrival, firefighters found a fire in the ground floor kitchen of a building, used as a commercial grill house (with flats above). The fire began in the kitchen and spread to the first floor and roof cavities.

“It was extinguished by 14 breathing apparatus wearers using main lines and hose reel jets. The stop came at 5.58pm.”