Shoppers fled to safety as a store caught fire and filled with smoke.
Sealed off - firefighters at the scene in Eld Lane.
Onlookers feared that the front of Monsoon, in Eld Lane, Colchester, was about to explode as flames spread from a ground floor cupboard to the first floor and then into the roof.
Police sealed off a section of the road as firefighters wearing breathing apparatus put out the blaze, which severely damaged the building.
Fire crews from Colchester, Wivenhoe and West Mersea were called out after the fire was reported at about 12.50pm on Saturday.
The shop' manager did not want to comment on the fire and no-one was available at Monsoon' head office.
More in today's Evening Gazette
Published Monday, November 15, 2004
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