The devastated owner of a Thai massage parlour has said her business has been 'ruined' by a blaze caused by a tumble dryer.

Flames and smoke were billowing out of the Beautiful Massage shop in Commercial Road when fire crews were alerted at 10.30am yesterday morning.

Somwang Khanajan was out when the tumble dryer was consumed by fire.

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But by the time she returned, the road was swarming with fire engines and police, who shut the road.

Speaking to the Echo yesterday, she said: "I wasn't here when it happened this morning but apparently the firemen think my tumble dryer might have exploded, they're looking into it."

The incident has left her confused - and devastated.

Daily Echo: "I was literally out for five minutes and usually check everything is switched off, so I don't know what's happened," she said.

While obviously upset about what has happened, she was grateful not to have been caught up in the blaze herself.

She said: "My business is ruined, the fire damage was all downstairs.

"I feel lucky that I wasn't here when it happened."

Daily Echo: The fire service confirmed that while everyone was accounted for, one person was treated for smoke inhalation and minor burns.

Maciej Lenart, of the neighbouring M Studio GYM, spoke of the moment he tried to put out the fire.

He said: "I was with a client in the gym when we found out there was a fire.

"I made sure we evacuated safely and then I came to help the best I could, trying to throw water on the fire with a hose.

"About 10 minutes later the fire crews and ambulances turned up, so health and safety wise they were on it straight away and then they were here for a couple of hours sorting everything.

"I'm just grateful it wasn't worse."

Daily Echo: The blaze was extinguished by around 12.15pm, when the majority of fire crews left the scene.

The fire service's investigation team stayed for a while longer to look into the circumstances of what happened.

Their spokesperson gave some advice about tumble dryer safety in the wake of the incident.

They said: "We ask that you don’t overload your tumble dryers and ensure you regularly clean out the lint filter.

"It is also important not to leave your machine running overnight or when you are out. 

"Register your electrical products so you are informed if there is a problem."