'My restaurant will re-open this week after blaze'

The owner of one of Birmingham's best known curry houses that was hit by a devastating fire says he is determined to reopen as soon as possible.

Zafar Hussain wants to be serving customers again as early as Friday, in an unaffected area of the ground floor of Shababs Balti Restaurant.

The blaze broke out in the kitchen at about 11:00 BST on Sunday, and became so fierce after an incorrect fire extinguisher was used, a member of staff had to escape the flames by climbing out of a first floor window.

He was later treated in hospital for burns and smoke inhalation, after a member of the public found a nearby ladder and smashed a window to help him get to safety.

Mr Hussain told BBC WM that there were three cleaners and one prep chef in the building at the time of the fire.

He said the fire was started by an oil fryer that had been lit in the downstairs kitchen.

"We've got a new first floor kitchen which is our main kitchen now. But our chef had lit the fryer and almost forgot about it.

"When it started flaming up one of the cleaners smelt it on the ground floor. He's gone into the kitchen and seen the big flames, panicked and used the wrong fire extinguisher."

The restaurateur said instead of using a chemical based extinguisher for oil fires, the cleaner had used a water-based one, which he said "made it a 100 times worse".

"It just engulfed and erupted the whole thing because the extraction was also on - it was fuelling the fire," Mr Hussain explained.

Four other people were treated at the scene by paramedics.

Speaking about the staff member's first-floor escape, he said: "A member of the public used a ladder to climb up and smash the window. It was a very lucky escape."

Support from the public since the fire has been "phenomenal", he added.

"It's been difficult time for us as a family. Our entire lives' work has been burnt to a crisp in 10 minutes. But I'm still thankful as someone could have got really badly injured," said Mr Hussain.

"But I feel too strong about Shababs and carrying the torch for Balti and representing Birmingham to the world."

Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.