A fire caused the evacuation of a Tesco supermarket in Glastonbury as a massive blaze threatened to engulf the store. Images showed huge orange flames and black smoke billowing from the fire involving two caravans close to the store, with fire services warning of a high risk of the fire spreading to the building.
Fire Incident Details
The Tesco store on Wirral Park Road issued a Facebook message to customers at around 9.10pm on Saturday, advising: "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 Service reported that the cause is believed to have been deliberate. The caravans were completely destroyed, and the store sustained some external fire damage. No injuries were reported.
Fire Service Response
According to the full report from Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service, the fire occurred at around 8.07pm. The fire service stated: "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.
"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 were no casualties and once the caravans and scene were made safe, the incident was left in the hands of store staff and the police. These are the full and final details."
Store Reopening
In an update, Tesco confirmed the store would open as normal on Sunday. The message 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."
