Tesco evacuated after two caravans deliberately set on fire in Glastonbury
A Tesco store was evacuated after two caravans were deliberately set on fire, according to emergency services.
Firefighters rushed to the scene in Glastonbury yesterday evening to control the raging inferno amid fears the flames would spread.
An intense fire broke out last night after two caravans were purposefully set ablaze, with police now investigating the blaze as "suspicious".
The Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service rushed to the scene in minutes to contain the flames.
Shocking images show thick smoke billowing from the two mobile homes – now totally destroyed.
The Tesco shop on Wirral Park Road was evacuated as firefighters were concerned about the fire spreading.
Five fire engines attended the scene and used an aerial ladder platform, two breathing apparatus, three hose reel jets, two main jets, and one covering jet to extinguish the fire.
At around 9:10 PM last night, the supermarket posted on Facebook to give customers an update.
The post read: "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."
It later added: "We are definitely closed for the rest of the evening… We will reopen tomorrow as usual – 9:30 AM for browsing, 10:00 AM for purchasing. Thanks for your patience."
A spokesperson for the fire service said crews "mobilized to multiple calls reporting a caravan on fire at Tesco supermarket, Wirral Park Road in Glastonbury".
"Crews were on scene within minutes […] 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 1:40 AM the incident was brought under control and the fire extinguished.
"Two caravans were completely destroyed, with the store sustaining 10% 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 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."
Avon and Somerset Police said an investigation is now underway after they were called shortly before 8:15 PM.
The force said two caravans were "severely damaged" while a third nearby was also affected by the blaze.
Sergeant Simon Lancey, of the Glastonbury neighbourhood policing team, said: "We are treating the incident as suspicious at this time, pending the outcome of ongoing fire investigation work.
"The fire caused a significant amount of damage but, fortunately, nobody was injured. If this fire was started deliberately, then that was an incredibly dangerous act.
"Neighbourhood officers will be carrying out patrols over the coming days to help those people affected and conducting enquiries in the area to support the investigation."
Any witnesses or those with CCTV or dashcam footage are urged to come forward to the police and contact the force online on 101 quoting reference number 5226163150.
Head of Investigations
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