Nuneaton Wilkinsons store evacuated after fire breaks out

[dutchman]

Staff ushered customers to safety when fire broke out at a busy store in Nuneaton town centre today.



The evacuation procedure took place after alarm bells sounded at Wilkinsons shortly after lunchtime.

Thick smoke poured out of the loading bay at the rear of the one-storey Church Street building and two appliances from the nearby fire station were soon on the scene.

Crews from Warwickshire Fire and Rescue using breathing apparatus and hose jets tackled the blaze, which took more than half an hour to get under control.

An investigation is now underway to determine the cause of the fire.

Nuneaton station commander Mark Scruby said: “There was lots of black smoke and it was very hot inside the bay.

“The fire had developed inside crates, which were stacked with paper and cardboard. An investigation will be carried out into how it started.”

Pump tenders from Bedworth and Hinckley, plus a command unit from Atherstone and a hydraulic platform from Coventry, were called in for support as the area around the store was cordoned off.

[dutchman]

Girl, 15, arrested over Nuneaton town centre shop fire

A 15-year-old girl has been arrested on suspicion of arson after a blaze at a shop in Nuneaton town centre.

Customers were ushered to safety after the fire broke out at Wilkinsons in Church Street at around midday on Tuesday.

The store is expected to be shut for between four to six weeks so the damage can be repaired.

A spokesman for Warwickshire Police confirmed that the 15-year-old was arrested today and questioned by detectives.

She has since been released on bail until August as inquiries continue into the fire.

The busy store has been shut since the blaze, which is believed to have started in the loading bay.

When the fire broke out Nuneaton station commander Mark Scruby said: “There was lots of black smoke and it was very hot inside the bay.

“The fire had developed inside crates, which were stacked with paper and cardboard. An investigation will be carried out into how it started."

The fire took around half an hour to bring under control.