The Ivy Manchester fire: latest news on roof terrace blaze

Newly-opened restaurant The Ivy has been evacuated in Manchester after a huge fire took hold on the roof terrace.

The Ivy, which launched in Manchester in November, is spread over four floors in a purpose-built wooden pavilion at the heart of Spinningfields.

Greater Manchester Fire Service sent four crews to the scene on Friday just after 5pm to tackle the blaze on the top floor of the building, with huge flames seen spewing out of the terrace.

A spokeswoman for The Ivy confirmed that all diners and staff were evacuated safely from the building.

By 6.30pm fire chiefs confirmed that they had extinguished the blaze, and now they are working with restaurant bosses to establish how the fire started.

Eyewitnesses have been sharing photos and video of the shocking blaze, with smoke seen billowing out across the busy city centre district of Spinningfields.

Office workers in adjacent buildings took video showing the fire spreading across the rooftop.

XS Manchester radio controller Matt White captured images of the fire and said: “You could see the flames rising from the roof top – you can’t help but worry that it’s a wooden structure.

“It looks like all the staff and everyone who was inside are now out and OK.”

A statement from The Ivy released on Friday night said work is already underway to repair the roof.

The statement said: “The fire at The Ivy Spinningfields was quickly and very efficiently contained by the excellent work of the Fire Services.  The fire was limited to part of the roof and the building was evacuated in a calm and timely manner.

“We are already working to repair the top floor damage, all other areas of the building are unaffected.

“We will make a statement in the next 24 hours with details of reopening.”

The Ivy Manchester – the latest branch of the London-founded restaurant – opened in November with a star-studded launch party, showcasing its opulent Art Deco interiors.  With over 500 covers, it was the biggest restaurant launch in the UK in 2018.

On the ground floor is a traditional Ivy Brasserie, the first floor hosts a private dining space called The Dalton Room, and the second floor is the first ever Ivy Asian with gourmet dining.

The third floor is a spectacular roof terrace with a fully retractable roof allowing all-year dining.

Fire fighters remained at the scene on Friday night to “dampen down” after the blaze.

On Saturday, the restaurant was able to reopen – and issued a statement thanking supporters and revealing plans for a “super party”.