Flames engulf Thurmaston Shopping Centre as roof collapses and firefighters swarm
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service is dealing with a large fire at the shopping centre affecting several units which broke out at around 6am on Saturday, June 20
A shopping centre in Leicestershire has been badly damaged by a fire which broke out in the early hours(Image: Facebook)
A major blaze has broken out at a UK shopping centre. Eight fire engines are currently in attendance at Thurmaston Shopping Centre in Leicestershire where a fire at the Mountain Warehouse store has led to a roof caving in.
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service reported receiving numerous calls about a large fire at the shopping centre, impacting several units around 6am on Saturday, June 20. The fire service deployed eight fire engines, two aerial appliances and over 40 firefighters to the scene.
All eight fire crews are still present at the site. The blaze produced a substantial smoke plume, prompting advice for residents to keep their windows and doors shut, reports Leicestershire Live.
Jordan Slack, 29, lives a couple of roads down from the fire. He said: “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. I mean this shopping centre has been here for around 20 years and it’s the first big incident we’ve had here.
“Nothing really happens in Thurmaston so as you can see everyone is out here this morning seeing what’s happened.
“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.”
The incident has drawn a large crowd in the area with more residents arriving at the shopping centre to see the incident for themselves. All eight fire engines are still in attendance but it is understood the fire has been extinguished and crews are now damping down.
This is a breaking news story and is being constantly updated. Please refresh the page regularly with the latest news, pictures and videos.
**You can also get email updates on the day’s biggest stories straight to your inbox **by signing up for our newsletters.
Get all the very best headlines, pictures, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you by following Daily Star every time you see our name.
**Follow Daily Star on Android – **CLICK HERE
**Follow Daily Star on Apple – **CLICK HERE
**Follow Daily Star on Snapchat – **CLICK HERE
You can also sign up for Twitter alerts for breaking news by following @starbreaksnews and follow us @dailystar for all the latest updates.
Keep up-to-date with your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day by following us on Facebook at Daily Star.Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.
