WALLINGFORD’S Market Place came to a standstill when fire crews tackle a blaze above Mistral fashion shop after smoke and flames were spotted billowing from a second floor window.

Incident commander Mick Pilcher said staff had not realised the premises were on fire and thought a burning smell was coming from a nearby coffee shop.

He said: “We were concerned because of the age of the building and in case the fire or smoke spread into neighbouring properties.”

Hedges solicitors firm and Branching Out florist, either side of Mistral, were evacuated. No-one was injured.

Mr Pilcher said he believed the fire had started among clothing stock. The inside and windows of the stockroom were left blackened. “There is a lot of damage inside,” he added.

Shop staff said they could not say when the shop would reopen and declined to comment further.

Shoppers were evacuated from the Westgate shopping centre, in Oxford, yesterday after a small fire in a light-fitting.