A RESTAURANT owner is counting the cost today after his business caught fire causing damage estimated at thousands of pounds.The smoke from burning oil in a fryer spread through the whole of the Jorna Indian restaurant in Wherstead Road causing extensive damage.

A RESTAURANT owner is counting the cost today after his business caught fire causing damage estimated at thousands of pounds.

The smoke from burning oil in a fryer spread through the whole of the Jorna Indian restaurant in Wherstead Road causing extensive damage.

Owner Boshor Ali was enjoying a night off work when he got a call from one of his chefs with news that the kitchen was on fire at around 10.15pm yesterday.

Three fire engines were sent to deal with the blaze in after the oil in a fryer ignited.

Mr Ali, 31, said: "It was only a small fire but there was a lot of damage. The smoke got to the whole building, it's a disaster.

"Luckily the chef quickly turned off the gas and electricity, then phoned the fire brigade before the fire could spread.

"Now I will lose business as I will have to close the restaurant for a few days. I have all the insurance to sort out as the damage looks like it will cost thousands to fix. I am very shocked and I just wish I could turn back the clock."

The familiar fish tanks in the counter were not affected by the blaze.

The fire was under control by 11.03pm. The firefighters wore breathing apparatus as they extinguished the flames with dry powder and then thoroughly ventilated the premises. Nobody was injured.

Later on another crew tackled a fire in a flat in Vernon Street shortly after 12.30am today.

Two appliances from Princes Street and a turntable ladder from Colchester Road attended the scene. The fire was out by 1am. At the same time another crew dealt with a car fire in Franklin Road, Ipswich.

At 7.24am another car fire was put out at Aylesbourne Priory in Nacton Road.