FIREFIGHTERS are attending an incident at a shop in Colchester.

The fire service was called to a fire that broke out in a vacant unit in Barrack Street.

It is not known how the fire started at this point.

A passer-by said: "Another fire engine is there now.

"It seems to be coming from the shop that was soon to be turned into a Polish food shop."

Another witness said: "There was a faulty wire in the shop sign which caused the fire.

"Inside the shop is completely fine, not a mark of damage, but you look outside the shop and the sign has been ripped out."

The incident happened just before 1pm and two fire engines from Colchester attended. 

A spokesman for the fire service said: "On arrival firefighters reported that the shop was smoke logged and three other properties had been affected by smoke. 

"Firefighters extinguished the fire and cleared the smoke by 1.45pm. 

"The cause of the fire has been recorded as accidental, due to an electrical fault." 

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