FIREFIGHTERS tackled a blaze which ripped through the roof of a Chinese takeaway before spreading to other shops.

Fire engines from Amersham and Gerrards Cross rushed out to The Chinese Kitchen takeaway in Station Approach, Little Chalfont, on Wednesday night just before 9pm.

The fire is believed to have started in the kitchen and people had to be evacuated from the building while the firefighters fought the flames.

Firefighter Malcolm Chalk, based at Gerrards Cross, said: "The fire was going very well when we arrived and was blow-torching through the roof."

Three jets, one hose reel and two breathing apparatus were used by the firefighters to put out the flames, but no one is believed to have been seriously injured.

Richard John, who runs Richard John Hairdressing on the other end of the shopping parade, was confronted with the sight of the charred roof and burnt debris yesterday.

He said: "I just came in this morning to find this had happened I hadn't heard anything about it."