YOUTHS have been blamed for a fire which erupted in a suspected drugs den above a city takeaway.

The blaze engulfed the rear room of a flat above the Italian Job takeaway, in Rose Avenue, Worcester, according to witnesses.

Three fire engines from Worcester and one appliance from Droitwich were sent to the scene at 8.57pm on Tuesday, August 29.

The Italian Job takeaway closed earlier this year and the Fortis Living flat above it is not currently occupied.

Ranjodh Atwal, aged 56, who works at Rose Avenue Fryer, thinks youths were responsible for the blaze next door.

"Youths climb over and get onto the roof and go inside [the flat]. I think in the daytime they are smoking inside," he said.

"There's too many youths here playing. Sometimes smashing windows. People throw apples into the garden. There are many problems with anti-social behaviour."

Mr Atwal said the rear window of the flat was broken last week and was boarded up by police on Tuesday night.

He first noticed the fire when he was in the chip shop kitchen and saw light coming through a window.

"I came out [into the garden] and saw a big flame going out. I came out five minutes before and there was nothing," he said.

Sukhdev Singh Kaur, the manager of Rose Avenue Fryer, called the emergency services after Mr Atwal raised the alarm.

He said: "We had two customers here at the time. I turned the gas and electric off. I was scared.

"I think people started the fire because it's a lock-up - nobody is here."

Mr Kaur, aged 40, also thinks drugs were being used in the property.

Gary Hickton, aged 54, who owns the Worcester Angling Centre, in Rose Avenue, Worcester, said: "I got there at about 9.40pm. I saw the fire brigade fanning it, trying to get rid of the smoke.

"I spoke to one of the firemen and he said a fire investigation team will be looking at it.

"The flat above is empty. Why would a fire suddenly break out?

"The place was repossessed by Fortis back in June."

Firefighters used breathing apparatus and two hose reel jets to tackle the flames.

West Mercia Police was also called to the incident at around 9pm and officers closed off the road.

An ambulance and a paramedic officer also responded to the fire but nobody was found within the property.  Investigations into the cause of the blaze are ongoing.

Fortis Living declined to comment.