Nine appliances and crews and six officers were on the scene at the height of the fire.

The appliance and crews in attendance were from:

• Aylesbury
• Hertfordshire
• High Wycombe
• Thame
• Wheatley
• West Ashland

Smoke and fire was issuing from a four-storey building when they arrived.

The ground floor of the building was used for retail purposes, with flats occupying the three floors above.

The fire was in an external storeroom on the ground floor.

The firefighters used:

• Four sets of breathing apparatus
• Two hose reel jets
• A thermal imaging camera
• A turntable ladder

The flats and nearby residential buildings were evacuated.

The store was 100 per cent damaged by fire. The flats above also suffered external fire damage.

Thames Valley Police also attended.

One appliance and crew from Newport Pagnell and two from West Ashland attended.

The building was evacuated. A kiln had overheated causing smoke.

The firefighters isolated the kiln, and used positive pressure ventilation to help clear the smoke.

One appliance and crew from Buckingham, one from West Ashland, one from Brackley and two officers attended, and were at the scene for about four hours. Firefighters used gas monitors, breathing apparatus and fans and assisted with the temporary evacuation of residents from about 100 flats.

The high carbon monoxide levels were caused by generators in the previously flooded basement car park. A phased return of residents to their flats began early this evening.

Other agencies attending included Thames Valley Police, Buckinghamshire Council, South Central Ambulance Service and its Hazardous Area Response Team.