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Morrisons fire to burn all night Morrisons fire to burn all night
(9 minutes later)
Firefighters are expected to be at the scene of a large fire at a Cumbrian supermarket for the majority of the night.Firefighters are expected to be at the scene of a large fire at a Cumbrian supermarket for the majority of the night.
Some 50 firefighters are battling to keep the fire under control at Morrisons supermarket in Penrith. More than 50 firefighters are battling to keep the fire under control at Morrisons supermarket in Penrith.
People in nearby houses have been evacuated to Penrith Leisure centre which is being used as an emergency reception centre.People in nearby houses have been evacuated to Penrith Leisure centre which is being used as an emergency reception centre.
No-one was injured but the damage to the store is described as "extensive".No-one was injured but the damage to the store is described as "extensive".
Bob Nixon, head of operation support at Cumbria Fire and Rescue, said the store was very busy with Christmas shoppers at the time, but Morrisons staff evacuated the supermarket quickly.Bob Nixon, head of operation support at Cumbria Fire and Rescue, said the store was very busy with Christmas shoppers at the time, but Morrisons staff evacuated the supermarket quickly.
He said access to the fire was difficult at first because the car park was full and there was a large crowd of bystanders.He said access to the fire was difficult at first because the car park was full and there was a large crowd of bystanders.
He said: "At the moment the devastation is quite bad. The damage to the store is extensive."He said: "At the moment the devastation is quite bad. The damage to the store is extensive."
'Plumes of smoke''Plumes of smoke'
Firefighters were battling the fire from the outside due to the risk of the store's roof falling in.Firefighters were battling the fire from the outside due to the risk of the store's roof falling in.
Specialist aerial ladders from Carlisle and Barrow were also being used.Specialist aerial ladders from Carlisle and Barrow were also being used.
The fire service advised people to stay indoors because the smoke was thick across the town.The fire service advised people to stay indoors because the smoke was thick across the town.
Train services have not been affected.Train services have not been affected.
One eye-witness said: "There were large plumes of smoke, and half the building was in flames."One eye-witness said: "There were large plumes of smoke, and half the building was in flames."
Another eye-witness said the supermarket had been "more or less destroyed".Another eye-witness said the supermarket had been "more or less destroyed".
The store is situated close to a petrol station and the West Coast main line.The store is situated close to a petrol station and the West Coast main line.