Restaurant hit by floods and thieves now wrecked by fire

The Muskaan restaurant opened in Corporation Street, Rotherham in 2007, just a few weeks before some of the worst floods ever experienced in South Yorkshire.

It was badly damaged, but reopened a few weeks later, and its owner Mostak Ahmed said he hoped that he and his eight staff could recover from the latest setback.

Mr Ahmed, who lives in Keighley, said he had been at the premises on Sunday night to close at 10.30pm, but received a phone call from police at around 4.30am yesterday.

He added: “I had to drive back from home and when I got there the place was wrecked, water had poured in through the roof.

“Everything is up in the air at the moment, I have got to meet with the landlord and the insurers before we can make any plans.

“Recently we have had the lead stripped from the roof, so that has cost me money and every day we are closed because of this will be expensive.

“The buildings around me are derelict, but nothing is done, and I don’t know whether it’s worth rebuilding.

“But I have had lots of calls from customers wishing me well, so we will do our best. The flood didn’t scare me and neither will this.”

Four fire engines were called to the blaze at 4.20am yesterday. Fire officers said flames had spread to the roof area when crews arrived.

Nobody was injured in the fire, which was yesterday under investigation, but Corporation Street had to be closed for around three hours.