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Supermarket gutted by huge fire | Supermarket gutted by huge fire |
(10 minutes later) | |
A Waitrose supermarket in Surrey has been destroyed in a fire. | A Waitrose supermarket in Surrey has been destroyed in a fire. |
People living near the store on High Street in Banstead were evacuated from their homes, and surrounding roads were closed, police said. | People living near the store on High Street in Banstead were evacuated from their homes, and surrounding roads were closed, police said. |
More than 50 firefighters tackled the blaze, which broke out on the roof of the supermarket at about 2045 GMT. | More than 50 firefighters tackled the blaze, which broke out on the roof of the supermarket at about 2045 GMT. |
Assistant chief fire officer Peter Guest described the building as a "total loss". Police are treating the fire as "potentially suspicious". | Assistant chief fire officer Peter Guest described the building as a "total loss". Police are treating the fire as "potentially suspicious". |
"The fire grew very rapidly and there was a large explosion and the fire then grew in intensity and scale to such a point that the building would be impossible to save," Mr Guest said. | |
"The crews have worked extremely hard... to protect the surrounding buildings to ensure that this fire didn't spread further, but I'm afraid the building here is a total loss." | |
Mr Guest added that no-one had been injured in what was a serious incident. | |
A Surrey Police spokeswoman said: "The fire has progressed rapidly through the store which is almost totally destroyed. | A Surrey Police spokeswoman said: "The fire has progressed rapidly through the store which is almost totally destroyed. |
"People are asked to avoid the High Street area if at all possible." | "People are asked to avoid the High Street area if at all possible." |
An investigation is taking place into the cause of the fire. | |
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Assistant chief fire officer Peter Guest says the building is 'a total loss' | Assistant chief fire officer Peter Guest says the building is 'a total loss' |