York bakery extensively damaged by fire

A popular bakery in York will be closed for the coming few weeks after a fire swept through its city centre premises yesterday.

Five fire appliances from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service attended the fire at Cornish Bakery on Colliergate, which they said is believed to have started in an extractor fan due to an electrical fault.

Steve Grocutt, founder and owner of The Cornish Bakery, said: “Unfortunately a fire occurred at one of our York bakeries this afternoon, but all procedures were swiftly activated and followed, and we are thankful that no-one in our team, or in the vicinity was hurt, in any way. We are working closely with the North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service to identify the cause.

“Our popular Colliergate bakery will be closed over the next few weeks whilst we repair the damage and our much valued team members will either be relocated within our network, or will have their salaries covered so this does not inconvenience them in any way.

“The Cornish Bakery team wishes to thank the North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service for their swift work today, and would also like to thank all of our neighbours and customers for their help and support following this unfortunate incident. Our nearby Coney Street bakery is fully open for our customers and friends, and remains unaffected.”

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “Appliances from York, Acomb, Huntington, Tadcaster and Malton responded to a premises fire in York. The three storey premises suffered extensive fire damage to its first and second floors. Hosereel jets were used to extinguish the fire which was believed to have started in an extractor fan due to an electrical fault. Firecrews also isolated the electrical supply, used a positive pressure fan to ventilate adjacent properties and carried out salvage operations.”