A significant fire has caused considerable damage to multiple units at Thurmaston Shopping Centre in Leicestershire after breaking out in the early hours of Saturday morning. Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service received numerous calls regarding the incident on Barkby Thorpe Lane at approximately 04:00 BST.
At the peak of the incident, eight fire engines, two aerial appliances, and more than 40 firefighters were deployed to tackle the blaze. Joe Rollestone, Wigston and Western Station Manager, confirmed that the roof of the shopping centre was affected, and crews successfully contained the fire to six units. Images from the scene depicted flames visible through windows and a large section of the roof having collapsed.
Fortunately, there have been no reports of any injuries resulting from the fire. The affected units sustained “various degrees of damage,” according to Mr Rollestone, who also stated that an investigation into the cause of the fire is underway. Firefighters continued to work at the scene to prevent any further spread to other parts of the shopping centre.
In response to the incident, police closed Barkby Thorpe Lane at its junction with Highway Road. However, access to the nearby Asda supermarket remained open. By Saturday afternoon, part of the affected area had reopened to the public.
The incident highlights the rapid response capabilities of the fire service in managing large-scale commercial property fires and the challenges involved in containing such blazes to minimise damage. The impact on the affected businesses and the local community will become clearer as assessments continue.