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A worker has described fleeing as a fire broke out at a bakery near a retail park, covering the area in thick black smoke.

Police and 20 fire engines rushed to the scene of the blaze at Speedibake, in Collinsway, Wakefield.

A staff member told Mirror Online she was on site working on one of the machines when she and other workers suddenly began smelling "burning".

"Everyone was cautious and one of the machines just started smoking and everyone evacuated," she said.

"Around seven fire engines arrived, and the police have evacuated houses and shops near by such as McDonald’s etc."

Authorities have warned people to stay away from the Lupset area of the cathedral city as the West Yorkshire Fire Service says around three-quarters of the ground floor of the bakery has been damaged by fire.

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Terrified shoppers looked on as 140 firefighters from around the county fought the blaze.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed they could be in attendance for up to two days.

Connor Strachan, 19, from Alverthorpe, and Eleanor Goldthorpe, 17, had planned to watch Jumanji at the Cineworld cinema opposite the bakery, but when they arrived at around 2pm they were told they had to wait in the building.



Mr Strachan said there were nearly 100 people at the cinema, some of whom were from Mecca Bingo directly opposite Speedibake.



He said: "We were eventually let out, a lot of the other buildings were evacuated too.

"There was a lot of black smoke, it was quite chaotic."

(Image: Dave D/Twitter)

One resident tweeted: "Huge fire in Wakefield centre, most terrifying experience, thick black smoke, literally could not breathe.

"Drove next to the factory (before we realised the extent of the fire). Everyone stay away from the area."

Another said: "Huge amount of thick acrid smoke coming from Lupset a couple of miles away from here.

"I had to shut the windows as the smell was putrid. I hear a lot of fire engines racing to it as I speak."

(Image: Laura M/Twitter)

Photos and videos taken nearby show smoke billowing into the air above the busy retail park.

There are restaurants, a cinema and shops in the centre.

Ben Russell, 29, who lives more than two miles away near Trinity Walk shopping centre, said he could see the thick black cloud of smoke from his flat window.

He added: "It's a huge blaze, smoke is all around the area

Former Wakefield Labour MP Mary Creagh tweeted: "Dramatic fire at Speedibake in Wakefield right now. Visited the doughnut line a couple of years back. Thoughts with staff, firefighters & police dealing with blaze. Hope all are safe."

West Yorkshire Police confirmed in a statement: "Emergency services are currently in attendance at a building fire at Westgate Retail Park in Wakefield."

"Roads around the area are closed, people are being asked to avoid the area.

"No injuries have been reported."