A large fire at a Chinese restaurant in Trent Vale was caused accidentally, investigators have concluded.

Emergency services were alerted to the fire at Furama Palace, on Newcastle Road, at 3:45am on Monday (15 July) and spent hours working to extinguish the blaze. Two people were taken to hospital.

Now fire investigators at Staffordshire Fire and Rescue have deemed the fire to have been caused accidentally.

The owners of the restaurant put out a heartfelt message to customers today, saying they were shocked and heartbroken following the fire.

At present, a fence has been erected around the restaurant and the majority of the roof has been destroyed.

A spokesperson for Staffordshire Fire and Rescue said :"A large restaurant fire in Stoke-on-Trent has been deemed to have been caused accidentally by fire investigators.

"Fire crews were called to Newcastle Road, Trent Vale, at 3.45am yesterday (Monday 14 July) following reports of smoke coming from a detached building.

"Firefighters used main jets and hose reel jets to extinguish the blaze and remained at the scene to dampen down hotpots.

"Following an investigation, the fire was deemed to have been caused accidentally."