Warwickshire Police have confirmed the fire, which damaged the Greggs store in the village of Exhall, is being treated as an arson investigation – but no one has been arrested
A new Greggs shop went up in flames days before it was due to open – in what is being treated as an arson.
The store was targeted on Friday night and a small fire rapidly became an “inferno,” witnesses say. The bakery in Exhall, Warwickshire, was due to open on Monday but an investigation into the blaze must now finish.
And Warwickshire Police are now treating it as an arson probe at this stage, a spokesperson for the force has confirmed. They added: “We are treating a fire at an industrial estate in Exhall as arson.
“Emergency services were called to the scene of the blaze at a business premises in Longford Road yesterday evening at around 8.20pm. At this time, we don’t believe anyone was in the building at the time but a full search will be carried out once the scene is safe to confirm this.”
They continued: “Anyone with information that could help police with their enquiries can go to www.warwickshire.poilice.uk/report or call 101 quoting incident 339 of 21 March 2025. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Six fire crews battled the flames at the chain bakery for around five hours, working into Saturday morning. Shocking footage shared on social media shows the large store ablaze right by a main road, giving off billowing clouds of black smoke, with firefighters shouting and running with hoses to attend to the flames. Images show extensive damage to the building, blackened with soot, as well as a van that was destroyed by the flames.
Plans to open the shop have been shelved for now, Greggs said. A spokesperson added: “We are fully supporting the police with their investigations. Thank you to them, and the local fire brigades who worked tirelessly last night to combat the fire.”
Warwickshire Fire and Rescue was forced to call in two fire engines from the West Midlands Fire Service for reinforcement to fight the blaze, according to a spokesperson.
They said: “We were called at 8.05pm. We had two appliances initially, which extended to six and our turntable ladder. We had assistance from the West Midlands who sent two appliances.
“We left the scene at just gone 1am – it was quite a long job. Police will stay at the scene as the site is insecure at the minute. There is going to be fire investigation going out at 8am.”
