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Fire at indoor market and bowling alley in Great Yarmouth Great Yarmouth fire: Shutter doors are possible cause
(about 2 hours later)
Traders have been left devastated after a major fire ripped through a bowling alley and indoor market. Fire chiefs have said they are close to identifying the cause of a major fire which has destroyed bowling alley and indoor market.
Twenty-two fire engines were called at about 03:20 BST to the Regent Superbowl and indoor market in Great Yarmouth.Twenty-two fire engines were called at about 03:20 BST to the Regent Superbowl and indoor market in Great Yarmouth.
It has now been brought under control.
David Ashworth, assistant chief fire officer for Norfolk, said it started either because of a roller shutter or the roof structure.
He said: "The fire developed quite rapidly where there was a sudden in-rush of air. That would have been a consequence of one of the roller shutters becoming displaced or falling or as a consequence of the roof structure giving way.
"That would have allowed a sudden in-rush of air, particularly oxygen, which enhances the intensity of the fire considerably."
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The blaze engulfed the Regent Road building, causing it to partially collapse.The blaze engulfed the Regent Road building, causing it to partially collapse.
At its height, 88 firefighters tackled it and the plume of smoke could be seen up to 11 miles away in Acle and Lowestoft.
Traders who operate from the building have said they are "devastated".
Stephen Cook, who runs a memorabilia stall, said he had up to £150,000 worth of uninsured stock there.Stephen Cook, who runs a memorabilia stall, said he had up to £150,000 worth of uninsured stock there.
"Everything which has taken me the last three years to build from scratch has gone overnight," he said."Everything which has taken me the last three years to build from scratch has gone overnight," he said.
Read live updates on this story More than 100 homes are currently without power as UK Power Networks makes the area safe.
Eighty firefighters have been tackling the fire, and people living nearby have been led to safety. Graham Plant, leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said: "It's the worst destructive fire I've seen in Great Yarmouth for some time.
More than 100 homes have been left without power as UK Power Networks makes the area safe. "What's there will have to be cleared up... it will leave an awfully big gap in the middle of Regent Street but I hope it can get rebuilt as quickly as possible."
Phil Thompson, the owner of Regent Superbowl, told the BBC: "I got a call at 04:00 BST and came down here and could see the smoke.
"I felt sick inside. After four years of back-breaking work to get it where it is. It's been the best season we've had. All the indoor units are full. I feel sorry for all the traders (in the indoor market), many who won't be insured."
He said firefighters have told him there is "not a lot left of the building. It will have to be pulled down".
The plume of smoke could be seen from up to 11 miles away in nearby Acle and Lowestoft, and some onlookers said they could smell burned plastic and timber.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer David Ashworth said: "It's a significant incident for us. Because of the building involved and also the surrounding buildings, it was really difficult to contain the fire spread."