10 Jan 2013
Fire broke out at a shop in Essex on January 3 before spreading to several neighbouring stores.
The drama started at the Triangle in Langdon Hills, Basildon, at around 2pm when firefighters were called to the flames coming from the roof of one of the outlets.
With the roof said to be 60% alight when the firefighters arrived on the scene, local residents were advised to shut their windows and doors to prevent smoke from getting into their properties.
The firefighters tackled the fire from above by using an aerial ladder platform as a water tower, but by 3.20pm the blaze had spread to other outlets such as a convenience store and a hair and beauty salon.
By around 4.30pm the fire had been brought under control, according to officers, and with a full investigation set to look into its cause, divisional officer Mark Earwicker said the firefighters did an “excellent job” in tackling it.
All commercial properties in England and Wales must be subjected to a “suitable and sufficient” fire risk assessment under the terms of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Failure to comply results in the possibility of a maximum prison sentence of two years or an unlimited fine for the Responsible Person.
Copyright Press Association 2013