DINERS were forced out onto the street after a deep fat fryer caught fire at an Ipswich town centre restaurant. Fire crews were called to Old Orleans in Cardinal Park at around 7.

DINERS were forced out onto the street after a deep fat fryer caught fire at an Ipswich town centre restaurant.

Fire crews were called to Old Orleans in Cardinal Park at around 7.30pm yesterday.

The restaurant was evacuated after the alarm was raised and those at Gym and Trim next door also made their way out of the building as a precaution.

It is thought the deep fat fryer overheated and burst into flames. Staff at the restaurant covered the flames with a fire blanket before making their way out.

It took fire crews just minutes to put the fire out, before using a turntable ladder to check the smoke vents on the roof.

See tomorrow's Star for full story.