Fire crews were called to Axminster Arts Café Bar in the early hours of this morning (Monday).

Crews from Axminster, Colyton and Charmouth were called to the café in Church Street at 1.12am after a neighbour reported that the fire alarms were sounding and they could smell smoke.

Crews arrived and confirmed there was a fire in the café kitchen on the ground floor of the property, and they also needed to check an adjoining commercial property.

The crews used six breathing apparatus sets, two hose reel jets, a covering jet, triple extension ladder, small tools, thermal imaging camera and positive pressure ventilation fan to extinguish the fire.

The café suffered 25% fire damage and there was 90% smoke damage to both the café and adjoining retail shop, The Courthouse Makers.

The café bar is owned by Jim and Hilary Reaney who took over the establishment three years ago but retained a link with the town's arts and music fraternity. It was previously run by volunteers.

Mr and Mrs Reaney formerly owned the Kerrington Hotel in Musbury Road.

The café bar, often referred to as Axminster's "hidden gem", is situated in the Old Courthouse and includes a popular garden sitting-out area, one off the few in the town centre.,

The building is owned by Axminster Town Council and includes the town's former prison cells and sergeant's quarters, now converted into a comfortable seating area.

The first Mr and Mrs Reaney heard about the fire was when they received a telephone call at 8.30am this morning from one of their staff who was opening up.

They have been informed by the fire authority that the cause of the blaze is being investigated.