A DERELICT flat in Gorse Hill was gutted by a fire which left nearby shops filled with smoke.

Firefighters were called to a second floor property above an empty newsagents and the Victoria Wine shop in Clive Parade, in Cricklade Road.

Rachel Shirrets, 21, a shop assistant in Victoria Wine, was working when the fire started. She said: "By the time I called the fire brigade they were already here putting the fire out. The flames were big and you could feel the heat through the walls. The shop was full of smoke."

Three fire appliances attended the incident just after 6pm yesterday.