The Rajasthan fire: Eighty firefighters tackle four floor blaze at Indian restaurant

Eighty firefighters were called to a four floor blaze at an Indian curry house in the City of London last night.

Twelve fire engines rushed to a fire at The Rajasthan, on Monument Street, at just after 6.30pm yesterday (Thursday, July 7) after an extraction system, or ducting, caught alight.

Flames had spread from the basement to the fourth floor - with homes and offices housed above the restaurant.

Firefighters battled the heat and smoke for close to three hours, while photos showed plumes of smoke rising high into the air above the city.

Station commander Chris Mattingley, who was at the scene, said: "The fire spread through the ducting from the basement of the building up to the fourth floor.

"Firefighters worked hard in warm conditions to bring the fire under control."

A spokesperson for The Rajasthan, which also operates restaurants in India Street and Houndsditch, said no one had been injured.

He confirmed the premises were currently closed and the owners were not sure when it could be safely reopened.

A fire service spokesperson said: “The brigade’s 999 control officers took 18 calls to the blaze.

“The brigade was called at 6.33pm and the fire was under control by 9.15pm.

“Fire crews from Dowgate, Whitechapel, Dockhead, Shadwell and surrounding fire stations were at the scene.”

The cause of the fire is under investigation.