THIRTY people had to be evacuated from their homes when fire broke out in a town-centre shop.

The fire began in a mini-supermarket in Knaresborough High Street just before 2.50am today.

The fire was in the rear panel of a refrigeration unit, aparently caused by an electrical fault.

Residents livng in flats above the shop were woken by firefighters and told to leave.

Firefighters were alerted by a smoke alarm and crews from Knaresborough and Harrogate were called.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said the damage was not severe.