UPDATE: 4.45 "Crews managed to ventilate effectively and prevented the smoke from entering the art galleries" says Cornwall's fire chief.

He said that the fire started in a deep fat fryer and it took CO2 extinguishers, foam and a fire blanket to bring the fire under control.

All four floors were affected by smoke, with staff doing a "good job" evacuating 300 people.

Adding: "Officers and crews did well and kept fire spread down to a minimum, I believe no damage to artefacts, did CFRS proud."

UPDATE: 3:28 - All Cornwall Fire and Rescue resources have now left the scene. It is believed the one way system outside the Tate Gallery will be re opened shortly.

It is unclear whether any of the artwork has been damaged, until a planned inspectionis carried out.

UPDATE: The fire at Tate St Ives has been extinguished. Crews have used breathing apparatus to search the building and currently four breathing apparatus wearers are using positive pressure ventilation fans to clear smoke from the building.

It is believed that no damage to any art work in the gallery has occured, however this will be confirmed after further inspection.

Firefighters have been called out to a fire at the Tate Gallery in St Ives, with hundreds of people evacuated from the building as a precaution.

At 12:33 this afternoon Cornwall Fire and Rescue service received a number of calls to a fire in the Tate Gallery, St Ives. Ten firefighters on two appliances from St Ives were mobilised to the scene.

The fire was in the kitchen corridor at the four storey building. An assistance message at 12:50 hrs for ‘make pumps three’ for breathing apparatus was made.

As of 13:20 hrs - Crews remain on scene fighting the fire; crews are currently using four breathing apparatus, one hose reel, two dry powder fire extinguishers, a fire blanket and a thermal imaging camera.

The fire was contained to the kitchen and adjoining corridor

The one way system outside the art gallery has been closed by Devon and Cornwall Police.