Tesco in Bedworth evacuated after 'big bang' as police issue statement

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The store remains closed today as 'four young people' help police



Shoppers and staff at Bedworth Tesco had to be evacuated after a 'big bang' filled part of the store with smoke. They were forced to flee late yesterday afternoon (January 2).

Eye witnesses reported hearing a 'big bang' and reported seeing black smoke coming from near to the toilets at the Leicester Street-based store. It led to it being evacuated.

The store remains closed today (January 3). CoventryLive has contacted Tesco HQ for a statement.

We have yet to receive a response. But Warwickshire Police has released a statement about the incident at 5.45pm.

In the meantime police have said that they are treating the incident as arson. A Warwickshire Police spokesperson said that four young people have been identified.

They are said to have been involved with the fire. "Following reports of a fire at a supermarket on Mill Street in Bedworth at 5:45pm yesterday (2 January), we can confirm that we launched an arson investigation after concerns were raised by the Warwickshire Fire Service," said the force spokesperson.

"We would like to thank all the witnesses and store staff who came forward to support in our investigation, and we can confirm that we have now identified four young people who are alleged to have been involved with the fire who we will now deal with accordingly."

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Four boys charged with arson after Tesco fire



Four boys aged between 11 and 13 have been charged with arson after a fire at a Tesco supermarket.

Tesco Extra in Mill Street, Bedworth, was closed to shoppers on 2 January due to the blaze.

Warwickshire Police said an 11-year-old boy, a 12-year-old boy and two 13-year-old boys have now been charged with arson.

The force said they are set to appear at Coventry Magistrates' Court on 13 March 2025.