Three people have been arrested after a huge inferno ripped through Dunelm and Pets At Home stores.
The flames broke out inside the Dunelm branch at St James Retail Park in Northampton at around 3pm yesterday.
Dramatic pictures show the towering inferno, visible from miles above the town, which then spread to neighbouring Pets at Home after the suspected arson attack.
Staff and animals had to be quickly evacuated – but luckily no casualties were reported and all animals were rescued from the pet shop safely.
A huge emergency response saw 11 fire crews and appliances, along with two aerial teams, tackle the major fire, with road closures also in place.
They remained overnight, only able to bring it under control nearly 20 hours later at 10.20am today. Other buildings also suffered smoke damage.
Three people have been arrested on suspicion of arson and remain in police custody.
Northamptonshire Police is now appealing for information and witnesses – especially a man said to have spotted people starting a fire in the Dunelm toilets.
The flames broke out inside the Dunelm branch at St James Retail Park in Northampton at around 3pm yesterday
Dramatic pictures show the towering inferno which then spread to neighbouring Pets at Home after the suspected arson attack
Staff and animals had to be quickly evacuated – but luckily no casualties were reported and all animals were rescued from the pet shop safely
Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service was supported by crews from Buckinghamshire and Lincolnshire.
Fire station commander Rich Walding dubbed it a ‘very protracted incident’ needing a ‘large-scale response’, the BBC reports.
He advised people to avoid the area ‘for the time being’.
A fire service spokesperson added today, the Mirror reports: ‘At this time, the smoke from the fire continues to blow toward the town centre and we would still advise people in the local area to keep windows and doors shut.
‘The retail park will remain closed until further notice. Thank you to the public for their support while we continue to deal with this incident.’
A section of Towcester Road, off which the fire happened, is expected to remain closed in both directions until 5am tomorrow.
Detective Chief Inspector Andrew Tuff said: ‘At the present time, we believe this fire to have been started deliberately and throughout the day, have made a number of fast-paced enquiries which has led to these three arrests.
‘However, I now want to appeal to the public for any information which could help our investigation.
A huge emergency response saw 11 fire crews and appliances, along with two aerial teams, tackle the major fire, with road closures also in place
Three people have been arrested on suspicion of arson and remain in police custody
‘If you were in, or near, the Dunelm store this afternoon and saw anything suspicious, please contact us.
‘I am particularly interested in speaking to a man who allegedly saw people setting fires in the Dunelm toilets a short time before the incident was reported.
‘This incident has not only caused significant damage and disruption but will have had a very serious effect on the wellbeing of the local people who work in Dunelm and the surrounding stores.
‘Therefore if anyone knows anything, I would please urge you to come forward.
A Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: ‘Although there are still small pockets of fire, the blaze is now contained, and fire crews expect to be damping down as the day progresses.’
They continued: ‘The first call came in just before 3pm with reports that the Dunelm store off Towcester Road was on fire.’
Witnesses or anyone with information can call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or use the force’s online portal.
They can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or via the charity’s website.
