Shoppers evacuated as fire breaks out at Sainsbury's

Shoppers have been evacuated from a Sainsbury's and a Marks & Spencer due to a fire.

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service sent crews from Hightown and St Mary's to Sainsbury's at Tollbar Way in Hedge End at about 11:35 GMT after a blaze broke out.

It said the unit and attached Marks & Spencer were evacuated by retail staff as a safety precaution.

The service said the fire was quickly contained to the unit's sustainable energy store, which is used to heat hot water to the retail unit, but it confirmed the public-facing part of the store was unaffected by fire.

Firefighters used one hose reel jet and one main jet to control the blaze and two crews from Hightown will remain at the scene.

Video footage filmed by a customer showed smoke pouring from behind the roof of the supermarket.

A Sainsbury's spokesperson said: "Our Hedge End superstore is now open as usual and we are grateful to the local fire service for their quick support."

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