Devastated restaurant owners watched helplessly as fire ripped through their business.

North Hill in Colchester was sealed off to traffic and pedestrians as between 40 and 50 firefighters tackled the blaze at Monty's Restaurant on Saturday evening.

The fire was spotted by staff at about 5.30pm when they went into the kitchen of the 400-year-old building for a busy night at the 75-80 seater Nepalese restaurant.

Six workers, including waiters and chefs, live in the building.

They were able to pack a few belongings before the fire took hold.

Owners Chuda and Rajahi Chhetri could only watch in horror as the fire spread through the roof, destroying the kitchen, part of the roof and a room in the top floor of the building.

The restaurant area was not damaged by the fire, but suffered some water damage.

Mrs Chhetri said: "Everyone got out all right."

She said the staff would stay with her and her husband in Lexden until somewhere else could be found for them.

An investigation revealed the fire started in an extractor unit.

The buildings either side of the restaurant were not damaged in the fire.

A fire brigade spokeswoman said six fire engines, including crews from Wivenhoe, Mersea, Dovercourt and Brentwood, had tackled the blaze.

Fire damaged - Inside Monty's Restaurant after the weekend fire.

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