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Dunelm Northampton retail park fire sees animals and shoppers evacuated 'Major' Dunelm Northampton fire sees shoppers and animals evacuated
(about 4 hours later)
Emergency services are currently on the scene of a large fire at the St James Retail Park Emergency services were called to reports of a large fire at the St James Retail Park, in Northampton
Shoppers and animals have been evacuated from a retail park in Northamptonshire while firefighters battle a large blaze. Shoppers and animals were "safely evacuated" after a major fire broke out inside a store at a retail park.
Emergency services are on the scene of the fire at a Dunelm store in the St James Retail Park, in Northampton. Emergency services were called to the blaze at a Dunelm store in the St James Retail Park, in Northampton, at about 15:00 BST.
In images sent to the BBC, thick plumes of smoking can be seen billowing into the sky from the home furnishing store. In images sent to the BBC, thick plumes of smoke could be seen billowing into the sky from the home furnishing store.
Northamptonshire Police and the Northamptonshire Fire Service said "no one is believed to be injured" while animals in the Pets at Home shop next door have been "moved to safety". Dunelm said it was believed "no one was harmed in the incident", while Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service said animals in the Pets at Home shop next door had been "moved to safety".
Nobody is believed to have been injured as a result of the fire, Northamptonshire Police said Nobody is believed to have been injured as a result of the fire, the Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service said
The emergency services have advised local residents to keep windows and doors shut until further notice. A spokesperson for Dunelm said: "Thankfully everyone was safely evacuated and, as far as we are aware, no one was harmed in the incident.
Towcester Road is also currently shut between the St Peter's Way roundabout and the Shell Garage roundabout. "Our thanks go to our in-store team who supported our customers throughout, and to the Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service who were on site quickly."
"Thank you for your patience and we will provide updates as and when we are able to," emergency services added in a joint statement. Firefighters remain at the scene and have advised local residents to keep windows and doors shut until further notice.
Towcester Road between the St Peter's Way roundabout and the Shell Garage roundabout is expected to remain shut "well into the evening".
"Thank you for your patience while we deal with this incident," the fire service said.
Shopper Kirsty Connor, who was at the retail park with her children, said seeing the smoke coming from the building was "horrible to watch".Shopper Kirsty Connor, who was at the retail park with her children, said seeing the smoke coming from the building was "horrible to watch".
"My daughter was crying over the animals in Pets at Home because she is hoping they are safe," she said."My daughter was crying over the animals in Pets at Home because she is hoping they are safe," she said.
Thick plumes of smoke being blown towards the town centreThick plumes of smoke being blown towards the town centre
The emergency services have urged local residents to keep their doors and windows closedThe emergency services have urged local residents to keep their doors and windows closed
Another eyewitness described the scene as "awful and very scary".Another eyewitness described the scene as "awful and very scary".
"I just hope that all the staff and animals from Pets at Home, which is just next door, are all out safe," she told the BBC."I just hope that all the staff and animals from Pets at Home, which is just next door, are all out safe," she told the BBC.
"We are getting lots of queries in relation to the fire at St James Retail Park regarding the safety of the pets at the store next to the Dunhelm building," police said."We are getting lots of queries in relation to the fire at St James Retail Park regarding the safety of the pets at the store next to the Dunhelm building," police said.
"We have made inquiries and can confirm that the store manager has made swift arrangements to move the animals to safety.""We have made inquiries and can confirm that the store manager has made swift arrangements to move the animals to safety."
Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.