A TOWN centre cafe remains closed today (Friday) after a fire tore through its kitchen last night.

The blaze took hold at Gregory's in Station Hill, Reading, shortly before 10pm in the shop's kitchen diner area.

Crews from Wokingham Road and Caversham Road fire stations arrived within minutes to tackle the flames which were so fierce they shattered the front windows and caused severe smoke damage to the room.

Staff were unavailable for comment when the Chronicle visited the cafe today and fire crews are investigating what caused the blaze.