A massive fire has broken out at a shopping centre, destroying the building. Emergency services were called to Thurmaston Shopping Centre in Barkby Thorpe Lane, Leicestershire, at 4am. Footage shows the fire ripping through the building with the roof completely collapsed.
Eyewitness Account
Jordan Slack, 29, who lives a couple of roads down from the fire, told LeicestershireLive: 'I've come down this morning to get to the gym but obviously it's been closed off. I had photos come in from local WhatsApp groups of the fire around 5am. I was shocked. I couldn't believe it. Nothing has ever happened like this around here. When I first saw the pictures, I thought the fire would take the whole shopping centre but thankfully it was stopped before it grew further.'
Fire Service Response
Leicestershire Fire Service said: 'Fire Service have received multiple calls to a large fire at Thurmaston Shopping Centre affecting several units. Fire Service currently have 8 fire engines, 2 Aerial appliances and over 40 firefighters in attendance. There is a significant smoke plume and local residents are being advised to keep windows and doors closed! There is still a significant presence of Leicestershire Fire and Rescue appliances in attendance at this incident, our advice remains the same to avoid the area and for local residents should keep windows and doors closed.'
