Images show huge orange flames and black smoke billowing from a fire close to a Tesco store in Glastonbury “with a high risk of the fire spreading to it”, according to the fire service
Shoppers have been evacuated from a Tesco supermarket over a massive blaze threatening to engulf the store.
Images showed huge orange flames and black smoke billowing from the blaze involving two caravans close to the Glastonbury store “with a high risk of the fire spreading to it”, according to the fire service.
The Tesco store on Wirral Park Road issued a Facebook message to customers at around 9.10pm on Saturday saying: “Please avoid Tesco Glastonbury for the time being whilst we assess the damage caused by a fire. I will re-post when open, many thanks.”
Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue said the cause is believed to have been deliberate leaving the caravans completely destroyed and the store suffering some external fire damage. Nobody was injured.
According to the full report from Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service, the fire occurred at around 8.07pm. The fire service said: “Two fire appliances from Glastonbury and Street were initially mobilised to multiple calls reporting a caravan on fire at Tesco supermarket, Wirral Park Road in Glastonbury.
“Whilst en-route they requested a third fire appliance, mobilised from Wells, after seeing a large plume of smoke. Crews were on scene within minutes and immediately increased the attendance by a further two fire appliances, mobilised from Somerton and Shepton Mallet, together with an aerial ladder platform, from Bridgwater, after they confirmed two caravans were on fire in close proximity to the store and with a high risk of the fire spreading to it.
“Due to the quick response of fire crews and immediate increase in resources once on scene, crews were able to bring the fire under control and prevent it from extensively spreading to the store, which had been evacuated by staff.
“At 1.40am the incident was brought under control and the fire extinguished. Two caravans were completely destroyed, with the store sustaining 10 per cent external fire damage only. The fire, which was started deliberately, was extinguished using two breathing apparatus, three hose reel jets, two main jets, one covering jet assisted by the aerial ladder platform, together with ladders and fogging spikes (which penetrate walls with voids).
“Thermal imaging cameras were used to check for fire spread and hotspots, whilst positive pressure ventilation fans were used to clear the store of smoke. Luckily there no casualties and once the caravans and scene was made safe the incident was left in the hands of store staff and the police. These are the full and final details.”
In an update Tesco said the store would open as normal on Sunday, it read: “We are definitely closed for the rest of the evening… We will reopen tomorrow as usual – 9.30am for browsing, 10am for purchasing. Thanks for your patience.”
