Arson attack at Sainsbury's in Canley

[dutchman]

Staff and shoppers were evacuated from the scene, with trolleys full of goods abandoned in the aisles and at the checkouts



A busy supermarket had to be evacuated after arsonists set fire to clothes on a railing.

The entire store quickly filled with smoke following the incident at Sainsbury's in Canley just before 11am.

Staff and shoppers were evacuated from the scene, with trolleys full of goods abandoned in the aisles and at the checkouts.

Firefighters wearing breathing equipment used a hose to put out the blaze, and then used giant fans to clear the building of smoke.

The store may now have to throw away all of its fresh fruit and vegetables.

It is unlikely the store will re-open today.

Watch commander Jason McKinney, from Canley fire station, said: "We were called to reports that clothing had been set on fire in the store.

"On arrival we met management and staff who had successfully done a full evacuation of the store.

"On investigation we found a large clothes rail was alight.

"Four breathing apparatus and one hose reel were used to tackle the blaze.

"Once the fire was extinguished we made an effort to ventilate the store from smoke.

"At this stage we believe it was arson and further investigations will be taking place."

A West Midlands Fire Service spokesman said: "Two firefighters entered the store wearing breathing apparatus.

"All persons were evacuated and are accounted for."

Store manager Dominic Zearr said: "I’m happy to report that all our customers and colleagues were safely evacuated.

"Our priority is now getting the store back open as soon as it is safe to do so.

"It is looking unlikely that that will be today."

West Midlands Police have confirmed that the fire is being treated as arson.

In a statement, they said: "Police are investigating a report from the fire service of a fire in Sainsbury's on Fletchamstead Highway this morning.

"Nobody was injured in the fire, which police are treating as arson."

Anyone with information is asked to contact West Midlands Police on 101 giving reference log number 772 of 1 March.

[dutchman]

Fire at Sainsbury's was second incident in just two days

The Coventry supermarket where shoppers were evacuated after a blaze broke out yesterday had allegedly already been targeted by firecrackers the day before.

It has now been revealed that the store was involved in a further incident just 24 hours earlier.

The Telegraph received reports that someone had set off firecrackers in the toilet roll aisle.

A spokesman for Sainsbury’s would not confirm the nature of the incident, but said: “We’ve checked and there was a minor incident in store on Wednesday.

“Thankfully nobody was hurt and an evacuation wasn’t necessary.”

There have also been unconfirmed reports of small fires at Sainsbury’s branches in Warwick and Leamington on the same day as the fire in Coventry.

"Firecrackers", are we living in America now?

[dutchman]

Second fire at Coventry Sainsbury's in two days



A second fire has broken out at a supermarket in the space of just two days, the fire service has revealed.

Firefighters were called to Sainsbury's at Canley, Coventry just after 10:00 GMT on Saturday.

The cause of the latest fire is not yet known.

Two fire appliances, one from Canley and another from Coventry attended on Saturday.

A total of 10 firefighters worked with hose reels to put out the blaze.

They were still at the supermarket more than an hour later.

I'm no 'Sherlock Holmes' but I'm thinking it might be the same person?

[Melisandre]

Sounds like distraction tatics to me to get free goodies.

[rebbonk]

Surely they have CCTV?

[Melisandre]

You would think so Rebbonkthought the same myself just reading on the same day two more Sainsbury s in Lemington and Kenilworth had small fires as well.

[dutchman]

Three fires in four days at Coventry Sainsbury's store



Police have confirmed they are treating all three fires at the Sainsbury’s store in Canley as arson.

The three incidents have taken place in the space of just four days with the latest seeing firefighters called to the Fletchamstead Highway supermarket on Saturday morning.

Once again the clothing department was at the centre of the blaz e with firefighters removing two trolley loads of damaged clothes after the store was evacuated.

There was also extensive damage after the store’s sprinkler system was activated at around 10am.

The fire was almost identical to another last Thursday after a railing of clothes was set on fire.

And just 24 hours before that there was an incident involving firecrackers reportedly being set off in the toilet roll aisle.

A spokesman for West Midlands Police stated they they are investigating “three fires in four days” at the Sainsbury’s store and are treating them all as arson.

My god, the powers of deduction of our local police are simply staggering!

[dutchman]

Sainsbury's arsons: Police release picture of man they want to trace



A picture has been released of a man who may be able to help police with investigations after a series of fires at a supermarket in Coventry.

There were three fires in just four days at Sainsbury's in Fletchamstead Highway, Canley, in late February and early March, prompting police to launch an arson investigation.

And today, West Midlands Police have released a picture of a man they would like to speak to.

The image, believed to have been captured on store CCTV, shows a man wearing a high-vis jacket.

It took 'em long enough!