WORKERS and shoppers were evacuated when fire broke out at a fast food restaurant in York today.

About 40 firefighters took two-and-a-half hours to bring under control the blaze at McDonalds, in Blake Street.

A spokesman for McDonalds said the restaurant would remain closed for the rest of today. Damage was being assessed before a decision could be made on its reopening.

The restaurant and neighbouring premises of Munby & Scott Solicitors were evacuated after the fire broke out just after 9.30am.

Crowds of people gathered to watch the drama unfold as the street filled with fire appliances and a cordon was set up to keep the public at a safe distance.

Crews used special equipment to track down the fire, which started in a deep fat fryer but spread inside ducting which runs through the floors of the restaurant.

One firefighter was posted at the top of a ladder to monitor the situation as clouds of smoke billowed from the roof. Later, other firefighters could be seen on the roof.

Giles Scott, of Munby & Scott Solicitors, said ten people had been evacuated from his building soon after the fire began.

He said: "We were conscious of some fumes in the street and shortly afterward we heard the fire engines come down Blake Street, we then came down into the street and from talking to a fire officer it was apparent that a duct in the McDonalds building has had a fire in it."

Station Officer John Longfield said the firefighters initially had to track down the fire in the ducting.

He said: "We have removed ceiling panels and had a look to make sure that where there's been fire outside the ducting it has been put out, and we've checked the ducting through its length to make sure it is safe."

The fire was finally extinguished at about midday, but firefighters remained on the scene to check that there were no potentially dangerous hotspots.

A spokesman for the fire service said there had been severe but isolated fire damage to part of the kitchen, moderate smoke damage in the downstairs part of the restaurant and slightly worse smoke damage in the upstairs part of the restaurant.

A spokesman for McDonalds said: "The restaurant was evacuated. Our priority is for the safety of our customers and staff."

Updated: 16:45 Monday, July 09, 2001