http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/latest/Blaze-at-restaurant-Ramsay-tried.3666514.jpDozens of firefighters from across Hampshire were this morning tackling a huge blaze at a celebrity restaurant.
The Granary, in Titchfield, which recently featured in Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares, caught fire at 6.15am today.
Forty firefighters who rushed to the scene found the first floor and ground floor well alight by the time they arrived.
No one was thought to be inside at the time of the fire.
Firefighters were still fighting the blaze almost two hours later.
It is not yet known the full extent of the fire or how it started.
Incident commander Carlton Kerr said: 'A severe fire broke out on the ground floor which spread to a first floor and roof space.
'When the first crews arrived they had difficulty in seeing the building because of the smoke.
'The initial crew managed to limit the damage and now they are just dampening down.
'It's not know how the fire started but a fire investigation officer is speaking to crew members.'
Police closed off Cartwright Drive, at the junction with the Holiday Inn roundabout, to traffic and members of the public as firefighters dealt with the blaze.
Hampshire Fire and Res
cue spokesman Craig Mowat said: 'Originally five engines were called to the scene in Whiteley Lane.
'Two are from Fareham, one from Hightown, one from Botley and one from Gosport.
'We then sent a further three to the scene.
'About 40 firefighters were there - there's about five to each appliance.'
Tough-talking celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay spent a week at The Granary restaurant after the owners called him in in a bid to get more people through the door.
Manager Nigel Nieddu almost came to blows with Ramsay during the week.
The Granary used to be known as The Radcliffe which opened up in December 2003.
Celebrities Chris Evans and Jordan graced the restaurant for the opening of the swish new £2m club.
TV stars including former EastEnders actor Dean Gaffney mingled with Premiership footballers as well as Alex Sibley and Mel Hill of Big Brother fame.
