Massive blaze rips through Pets at Home as three people arrested
Firefighters worked tirelessly into the early hours as a fierce inferno engulfed a Dunelm store at a shopping precinct over the weekend. The emergency services were summoned to the retail park off Towcester Road in Northampton just after 3pm on Saturday, with dense black smoke seen for miles around.
Photographs from the scene depicted numerous fire engines in attendance, with the blaze threatening to spread to a neighbouring Pets at Home outlet. A striking video posted by Twitter user @tonyamk showcased the immense smoke column as the fire devastated the area.
Three individuals have been detained by Northamptonshire Police under suspicion of arson and are currently being held as enquiries proceed.
Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service personnel remained on site on Sunday, issuing a statement that read: "At this time, the smoke from the fire continues to blow toward the town centre and we would still advise people in the local area to keep windows and doors shut."
Detective Chief Inspector Andrew Tuff commented: "At the present time, we believe this fire to have been started deliberately and throughout the day, have made a number of fast-paced enquiries which has led to these three arrests.", reports the Mirror.
"However, I now want to appeal to the public for any information which could help our investigation. If you were in, or near, the Dunelm store this afternoon and saw anything suspicious, please contact us."
DCI Tuff remarked: "I am particularly interested in speaking to a man who allegedly saw people setting fires in the Dunelm toilets a short time before the incident was reported.
"This incident has not only caused significant damage and disruption but will have had a very serious effect on the wellbeing of the local people who work in Dunelm and the surrounding stores. Therefore if anyone knows anything, I would please urge you to come forward. Witnesses or anyone with information should call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111."
A representative from Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service commented: "Our fire crews are still on the scene of a fire at the St James Retail Park in Northampton this morning (June 1). At this time, the smoke from the fire continues to blow toward the town centre and we would still advise people in the local area to keep windows and doors shut.
"The retail park will remain closed until further notice. Thank you to the public for their support while we continue to deal with this incident."
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