News

Fire means Sandhurst Tesco customers evacuated

By Becky Barnes
June 26, 2012

Approximately 300 people had to be evacuated from a supermarket when a tarmac machine caught fire in the car park.

Staff and customers at the 24-hour Tesco, Marshall Road, Sandhurst, had to leave their shopping when the fire started at 10.30pm last night (Monday).

Fire crews from Bracknell, Crowthorne and Camberley attended the scene and used thermal imaging equipment to assess the potentially flammable gas cylinders.

The store was kept clear for more than an hour and it took an hour and a half to contain the flames.

A fire spokeswoman said the vehicle operator did a fantastic job and moved the vehicle away from the store which prevented any fire damage to the building.

She added the last pump was away by 12.20 and the fire was thought to be accidental.

| Submit Comments | View Comments (4)

« Previous Story | Next Story »

Most recent user comments 4 of 4

Aw bless you both for thinking I was being critical rather than jovial...

Neil, you're clearly an absolute hero, I do hope that this is recognised the next time the Queen is dishing out some MBE's.

Bruce Wayne
27/06/2012 at 09:12

no disrespect to bruce, clearly you were not there, the vehicle was a matter of meters away from the roofline and the risk of it spreading to the store was great, the store was therefore evacuated by management ushering staff and customers out at the furthest point from the fire so that had it spread to the store there would not have been a rush to get people out which would then more then likely cause either panic or injury. efforts were maid by myself and the contractors to extinguish the fire but these were non succesfull despite 6 large extinguishers and several small ones being used. people that were not there should not criticize the actions of those that were as hindsight from a 3rd person prospective is non realistic and non factual!!!!!

najp1987, sandhurst
27/06/2012 at 06:36

It was taking precautions as there was a serious risk that the building would catch light if this had happened it would be harder to control an evacuation as apposed to ushering people out calmly to the desired location if you wernt there dont critisize. It was a great effort by all involved including myself and the contractors attempting to extinguish the flames prior to firebrigades arrival