'Significant damage' to Tesco in Popley after major fire

Firefighters were mobilised to the store on Carpenter's Down at 19.50 to reports of an 'explosion'. 

Crews cordened off the road between Bermuda Close and Appleton Drive. 

At the peak of the incident, eight fire engines and approximately 30 firefighters were in attendance. Automatically-deployed paramedics were also on standby, while a small number of police officers and PCSOs redirected traffic and ensured no members of the public were hurt.

Lee Cordwell, station manager, told the Gazette: “On arrival we were faced with Tesco Express well alight. There were three members of staff and all were accounted for. The cause was not immediately clear and crews worked extremely hard to tackle the fire. We then discovered that it was a refrigeration unit at the rear of the premises.

“The fire is out and what we are doing now is salvage, to ensure the premises are safe.  There is a significant amount of damage to tesco but none to the chinese, and everyone there is accounted for and safe too."

Mr Cordwell thanked all involved for their cooperation, adding:  “From my point of view I would like to thank all the members of the public for allowing us the space to do our work, especially under coronavirus distancing circumstances. Staff members were also extremely helpful, providing information. 

“I believe there were customers in the store at the time of the fire but they were ushered out by the staff who dealt with it very well. 

“There will now be an investigation to find the cause and to work with Tesco to ensure it doesn’t happen again or at any of their other branches."

We've had a large presence in Carpenters Down, Basingstoke this evening for a retail fire. Crews from @Basingstoke_01, @Odiham10, @Tadley12, @HartleyWintney8, @AltonFire05, @Kingsclere_09, Overton, and @Rushmoor02 were called at 19:50 and the stop message came in at 22:15

— Hants Fire Control (@hfrs_control) March 15, 2021

Due to the number of appliances mobilised, an investigations officer was present at the scene to speak to staff members at the store.

While only three members of staff were on duty, a number of their colleagues who live locally arrived at the scene to offer support, but were unable to comment at this time, except to confirm that it had been caused by a freezer unit and no one was hurt.

By 10pm, most of the emergency vehicles had left the scene. The affected section of Carpenter's Down is expected to reopen later this evening but remains closed at this time.