A marina resident called the fire brigade after spotting smoke inside Spices Indian restaurant, on Navigation Point.

Fire crews from Stranton Fire Station, in Stockton Street, attended the incident, which took place on Friday morning.

The front door of the restaurant had to be forced open by firefighters because there were no staff inside at the time.

Breathing apparatus was used to investigate the incident and firefighters discovered that a pan of potatoes which had been left to slow cook inside the kitchen, was the cause of the smoke.

Navigation Point resident, Andrew Coates, 28, called the fire brigade after he spotted the smoke filling the restaurant.

Andrew, who is the manager of the neighbouring North Star bar, said: "I only live along from the restaurant and was walking past when I spotted the smoke.

"I called the fire brigade straight away and they were here pretty quickly. They had to force the door but luckily it didn't look too serious."

Watch manager Terry Connor, of Stranton Fire Station, said: "It was a pan of potatoes that was left in the oven to slow cook.

"There was nobody inside the building at the time and there was no fire, just smoke.

"We had to force the front door of the property open."
No-one from Spices was available for comment.