UPDATED: Fire crews called to Matlock Bath shopping centre blaze

They were initially called out at 5.06pm to reports that a lift shaft in the building was well alight, causing the centre to be evacuated.

Crews used six breathing apparatus and two hose reel jets to tackle the fire and at one point it was thought that there may be people trapped within the centre.

At 6.45pm fire crews received the message that all persons were now accounted for and the incident was declared closed after the fire was extinguished.

There is no word as yet as to what might have caused the fire but the centre is open as usual today.

A spokesperson for the shopping centre said that, as the matter was now being dealt with by the police, they could not comment further at this stage.

And shoppers seemed unconcerned about the fire despite the lingering smell of smoke around the entrance which was the only sign of the previous night’s events.

More to follow.