Dozens of firefighters tackle city centre blaze

Dozens of firefighters were called to a blaze in Exeter city centre this afternoon (Wednesday 27 July).

They were alerted after smoke was seen billowing from Richer Sounds Hi-fi shop in Sidwell Street at 1.45pm.

The fire is believed to have broken out in the basement of the property.

At 4.30pm Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service reported 15 appliances were on scene for breathing apparatus. Fire appliances and special appliances from Exeter Middlemoor, Exeter Danes Castle, Topsham, Crediton, Cullompton, Torquay, Honiton, Exmouth, Dawlish, Tiverton, Sidmouth, Chagford, North Tawton, Wellington and Bampton.

Staff have been evacuated from the building and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus were spotted leaving the Hi-fi shop.

The area around the top of Sidwell Street is closed. Western Way is closed and there's queuing traffic at St Anne's Roundabout.

The closure is also affecting Sidwell Street between York Road and Western Way.

Workers from Western Power Distribution were also at the scene and a police officer wearing a face mask was on patrol keeping people away from the incident.

Police are advising people to avoid the area and residents living nearby have been advised to keep doors and windows closed due to smoke.

Bus services have been diverted as follows: E/F1/F2, J/K/T, 1/1A/1B diverting via York Road, Union Road and then either Mount Pleasant (J/K/T, 1/1A/1B) or Stoke Hill (E/F1/F2). Blue and Red Park & Ride services are using the Heavitree Road to access the city centre.

A spokesperson for Stagecoach South West said: "The fire is impacting on our other bus services in the area, causing delays, as traffic is rerouted. We do not anticipate roads to reopen until 8pm at the earliest."