Londonderry: City centre restaurant damaged in kitchen fire

A restaurant in Londonderry's city centre has been damaged after a fire broke out in its kitchen.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) was called to the blaze at Bridge Street at 05:58 GMT on Monday.

The fire is believed to have started accidentally.

At the height of the operation, four fire appliances attended the scene and Bridge Street and Orchard Street were closed to traffic.

A number of people living in properties close to the restaurant had to be moved out of their homes because of the spread of smoke, NIFRS Station Commander Kevin Chester told 大象传媒 Radio Foyle.

"Luckily for the residents within these buildings, the alarm system did activate and they responded to the alarm and left the building," he said.

He added: "Investigations are continuing although we do not believe there is anything sinister".

It is the second fire in the city in less than 24 hours.

On Sunday, a fire caused extensive damage to a Sikh temple in the city's Waterside.

About 40 worshippers were inside the building when the fire broke out, but no one was injured.

It is understood the cause of that fire was also accidental.