Toxic smoke forces Bristol optometrists to flee practice

Goatman and Batham Optometrists in Bristol temporarily closed last week after the electricity main outside the practice caught fire and blew the manhole cover off.

During the incident one customer found the evacuated team camped in a coffee shop opposite the practice as he needed to collect his contact lenses before going on holiday. The fire brigade let owner Gordon Batham return to the practice to collect the CLs: 'We really do go the extra mile for customer service,' said DO Rachael Borley.

Borley said the practice was alerted to a problem when the lights started flickering on and off at around 3.30pm. Shortly afterwards someone from the shop next door alerted G&B staff about the large volume of black smoke pouring out of the pavement.