A FIRE at a Grade II listed restaurant in the city centre was caused by 'combustible waste' left outside the building.

Firefighters were called to My Sichuan restaurant, which is based in The Old School, Gloucester Green, at 7.26am today.

Crews from Rewley Road, Slade Park, Kidlington attended the scene and found the waste burning at the back of the restaurant.

The restaurant was not open at the time of the fire.

Crews tackled the flames using high pressure hose reels to bring the external fire under control, while firefighters wearing breathing apparatus did an internal search of neighbouring buildings to check the fire had not spread.

High pressure fans were then used to clear the smoke from the restaurant.

Further investigation into the cause of the fire is being undertaken by officers from Thames Valley Police and Specialist Fire Investigators from Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Station Manager Guy Dunkley said: “Commercial premises should be aware of the dangers of storing combustible materials within close proximity of buildings."