THE FIRE service said the blaze that damaged the Dunelm store in Yeovil “most likely started accidentally outside the building, possibly from a discarded cigarette”.
Emergency services were alerted to the blaze at 5pm on Sunday, August 25, and arrived to find the building "well alight", a spokesperson for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said.
No injuries were reported, and Dunelm's team were "all evacuated safely" and will be given "alternative roles" within the business while the store is closed, a spokesperson for the store confirmed.
Today, Wednesday, August 28, a spokesperson for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said: “The most likely cause is that the fire started accidentally outside the building, possibly from a discarded cigarette.”
Crew from eight local fire stations were able to extinguish the blaze over the next few hours, working well into the evening to ensure the site was safe.
30 per cent of the building's roof was destroyed by the fire the fire service said.
Quedam Shopping Centre confirmed that the store would be shut "until further notice” but added that the Quedam is open as normal for customers to access other shops.
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