FIREFIGHTERS dealt with a fire involving a restaurant at Messums Wiltshire gallery in Tisbury.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service was called to the incident on Court Street at 4.46 this morning (Tuesday, June 2). 

Fire engines from Tisbury, Shaftesbury (two), Mere, Wilton, Salisbury (two) and Yeovil, along with the aerial ladder platform from Yeovil, a support appliance from Sherborne and a water carrier from Pewsey were initially sent to the scene. 

A spokesperson for the fire service said: "The fire has affected an industrial kitchen and office space, with heavy smoke throughout the building.

"We have now scaled back to crews from Tisbury and Salisbury, with water carriers now on scene from Pewsey and Ramsbury. The Yeovil appliances have returned to home station, but the aerial from Salisbury is now there."

Firefighters remained at the scene to dampening down the area.

A post on the Messums Wiltshire website said: "We are sorry to announce that overnight on Tuesday 2 June a fire engulfed The Mess restaurant. 

"Luckily no one was hurt although the internals have been considerably damaged.  

"Thank you so much to the awesome crews from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service without whose effort and bravery we would be looking at very different circumstances. 

"We hope to bring you more information about the restaurant reopening as soon as we can. 

"The Barn and exhibition programming remain on schedule to reopen from 4 July, by appointment, and we look forward to bringing you further information about this next week."

A fire investigation is underway but it is believed to have started accidently. 

Charity iCatCare, who have an office adjoining the building where the fire took place, says it suffered "considerable damage" to its property. 

A statement said: "Today, we’re sad to confirm that a fire took place in a building adjoining our charity’s headquarters in Tisbury early this morning, Tuesday 2 June. Thankfully the property and our offices were unoccupied and no one was hurt, however both have suffered considerable damage – the full extent of which is still unknown.

"The cause of the fire is under investigation and we’re working closely with the fire service and local agencies. While this is a major disruption, we’re fortunate that through our Covid-19 contingency planning we’re able to continue operations remotely and deliver online resources to provide as normal a service as possible.

"We’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service for their swift action in tackling the fire, and to our landlords the Fonthill Estate, as well as our neighbours Messums and The National Trust for their support."