Properties on Watergate Street in Chester city centre were evacuated on Wednesday afternoon (February 11), after smoke was spotted coming from a building.

But investigations by fire crews have determined that the source of the smoke was a log burner in an antique shop.

Part of Watergate Street and the Rows were cordoned off while firefighters searched the area using a hydraulic platform.

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A spokeswoman for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said they received a report of smoke being seen coming from a building at 12.10pm.

"It is officially a false alarm. It was smoke that someone saw coming from a log burner in one of the antique shops on Watergate Street."

Five fire engines from Chester, Ellesmere Port and Winsford fire stations are in attendance.

The spokeswoman explained that the level of their response was due to the 'heritage nature of the Rows'.