Codfather chippy fire in Northwich sees neighbours evacuated

Firefighters were called to The Codfather fish and chip shop on Manchester Road, Lostock, at 11am on Saturday, May 18.

Fire engines from Lymm, Middlewich, Birchwood, and Winsford all rushed to the much-loved takeaway to tackle a fire believed to have started in a deep fat fryer.

Fire crews evacuated neighbouring buildings before using breathing kit, hoses, a powder extinguisher, and covered jets to put out the blaze.

Smoke billowing from the back of the Codfather chippy on Manchester Road (Image: Jase Patrick)

Eye witnesses reporter significant traffic disruptions on Manchester Road and elsewhere in the town.

The Codfather has been voted a 'top-60 chippy' nationwide in recent years, as well as the town's best chippy by readers of the Northwich & Winsford Guardian in 2016.

A spokesman for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “At 11am on Saturday, May 18, crews were called to a fire in the ground floor of a commercial property on Manchester Road.

“Firefighters used six sets of breathing apparatus, one hose reel jet, a dry powder extinguisher and covering jets to tackle the fire.

The Codfather has been voted 'best chippy in Northwich' by Northwich & Winsford Guardian readers (Image: Google)

“A thermal imaging camera and a gas monitor were also used to check for signs of the fire spreading to nearby properties.

“The fire is believed to have originated from a deep fat fryer.

“Neighbouring properties on either side of the building were evacuated as a precaution.”