A RESTAURANT had to be evacuated after a kitchen fire broke out in Birstall.

Diners were quickly shuffled out of TGI Friday’s on Holden Ing Way at 8.55pm on Wednesday.

The blaze started in the grill area of the kitchen and spread into the roof void.

Fire crews from Batley and Cleckheaton were called to the scene.

They used four sets of breathing apparatus and two hose reels to tackle the blaze.

The restaurant was closed today as the owners surveyed the damage.

A spokesman said some equipment had been ruined but the fire had not damaged the building.

They were hoping to re-open the restaurant in time for the busy Mother’s Day weekend.