Blaze breaks out in roof space of trendy city restaurant
Firefighters have tackled a fierce blaze on the roof of trendy Manchester restaurant, The Ivy, earlier this evening (January 4).
The fire is believed to have been started by a patio heater on an outdoor terrace on the Spinningfields eatery’s roof space.
Posts on social media, filmed from nearby offices and buildings, showed sheets of flames on the top floor of the three-storey Hardman Square building, which only opened for business last November.
Oh dear…all isn't well with the Ivy this evening. Could feel the heat from the office. #Ivyfire #manchester #spinningfields #fire pic.twitter.com/Tv1iq1WETO
— Oliver Batey (@OllyBatey) January 4, 2019
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue service said it was called just before 5pm, and it managed to extinguish the flames by 6.20pm.
A Fire Service spokesman said nobody was injured in the fire.
It used four pumps and an aerial appliance to tackle the blaze.
Roads around the area were closed and fire crews remain on the scene.
One Twitter user, @OllyBatey, filmed the blaze and posted: “Could feel the heat from the office.”
Another, @MattSayward, also posted footage, saying: “You can see the torchlight from the firefighters here as they put out the last of the blaze.”
You can see the torchlight from the firefighters here as they put out the last of the blaze. pic.twitter.com/aTpfaIFpCV
— Matt Sayward (@mattsayward) January 4, 2019
The Ivy Spinningfields is encompassed in a timber finish and comprises four unique floors, each serving up a different dining experience.
When it announced its official opening, on October 30, 2018, it boasted it would feature Manchester’s first ever Roof Garden restaurant on the top floor, complete with roaring fire pits, retractable roof, and foliage.
The restaurant is run by Caprice Holdings Ltd, which is also behind London’s The Ivy.
A spokesperson for The Ivy Manchester said: “The fire at the Ivy Spinningfields was quickly and very efficiently contained by the excellent work of the Fire Services.
“The fire was limited to part of the roof and the building was evacuated in a calm and timely manner.
“We are already working to repair the top floor damage, all other areas of the building are unaffected. We will make a statement in the next 24 hours with details of reopening.”
