A couple, whose family has owned a Baildon fish and chip shop for half a century, have spoken of their devastation after their business was wrecked by fire.

Frank and Carmen Dobson’s Cliffe Fisheries in Baildon Green has been forced to shut after a blaze tore through the building.

Mr Dobson, 60, tried in vain to save his business by emptying two fire extinguishers when flames and smoke started pouring from its pan range.

Mrs Dobson said: “There was a very loud booming noise. We thought it was someone parked outside with the radio on. This booming got louder and louder, then black smoke started pouring out of the chip pan.

“I turned round and couldn’t see my husband through the smoke. It was just billowing out. I was screaming for him to come out.”

They both managed to escape and Mrs Dobson called the fire service.

The mother-of-four said: “The firemen said it was 300 degrees when the fire was happening – now the business is beyond repair.”

Despite the best efforts of firefighters, the blaze destroyed the shop.

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