Toby Carvery restaurant blaze 'not suspicious'

The cause of a "significant" blaze at a village restaurant is not thought to be suspicious, a fire service has said.

Crews from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service were called to the Toby Carvery in Bishopstoke at about 03:45 GMT on Sunday.

Incident commander Mark Caplen told the BBC at about 08:30 that the fire, which spread to the roof and the first floor of the building, had been put out.

The fire service said the cause of the fire remained unknown but there was "no indication of suspicious circumstances".

Firefighters were expected to remain at the scene throughout the afternoon, damping down and extinguishing remaining hotspots.

Six fire engines and an aerial ladder platform were used to tackle the fire, which Mr Caplen said "completely damaged" the building.

"Our teams have worked extremely hard and effectively this morning to bring the fire under control and the fire is now out," he said.

The property's single resident had been alerted by a smoke alarm and had safely evacuated, Mr Caplen added.

The nearby B3037 (Bishopstoke Road/Fair Oak Road), which had been closed during the incident, has reopened.

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