Electrical fault blamed for fire in Hell

"Hell's on fire, oh my gosh," was all one Hells Pizza employee could manage after fire gutted the shop in the Hamilton suburb of Enderley yesterday.

The fire is believed to have started in the manager's office about 3.15pm.

Standing outside the building as firefighters dampened down the shop the employee, named Jason, shook his head in amazement.

Store manager Nicholas Hughes said two employees, Jason and Matthew, had been at work since about 1pm preparing pizzas for the night's shift.

He said the pair had noticed a strange smell all afternoon, like plastic burning.

Matthew went to investigate and found smoke in the staff room.

He then went to the manager's room and opened the door.

"All this smoke just came out," said Matthew.

The fire then burst out into the main shop.

Jason said he managed to turn off the gas in the building before the pair escaped through the front door.

"After about one hour at work we could smell this smell but we thought it was the people at the back. Then Matt went to check it out," said Jason.

"When he opened the door the fire just went."

Fire Safety officers are investigating the blaze, which is believed to have started through an electrical fault.

Staff turning up to work yesterday afternoon where directed to the franchise's two other outlets in Dinsdale and Beerescourt.

About 14 firefighters took three hours to put out the fire and dampen down hot spots.