Arson probe in shop blaze (From Gazette Series)

Arson probe in shop blaze

A FIRE, which swept through a convenience store in Dursley, is believed to have been started deliberately.

Police are treating the fire at the Co-op Swift Shop in Rosebery Road, which happened in the early hours of Wednesday, as suspicious. It is thought to have caused tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage

The emergency services were contacted around 2.40am, with four fire appliances responding. Crews spent more than an hour tackling the blaze, which required the use of one jet, two hose-reels and eight sets of breathing apparatus to put out.

The building was severely damaged both inside and out.

Police officers from CID and scenes of crime examined the store on Wednesday afternoon.

As a result of the fire, the store, which includes a sub-post office, has had to be closed until further notice.

Oxford, Swindon and Gloucester Co-op spokesman Adrian Barradell told the Gazette that it was the only option.

He said: "There has been quite a lot of damage to the store, both to the interior and exterior.

"The store will therefore have to be closed for the foreseeable future.

"In a way it is quite fortunate that it is a stand-alone building because otherwise it could have damaged other properties.

"At this stage there is no indication that we will not be making every effort to re-open the store."

In the interim staff are being found work at the Co-op superstore in Cam.

However, it is the impact on the wider community, especially the elderly, which will concern many people in the town.

Dursley town councillor Brian Marsh, who lives in nearby Somerset Avenue, thought that the fire would badly affect nearby residents and feared it could result in a permanent loss of facilities.

He stated: "It is going to be a major inconvenience to the residents of Highfields and Woodmancote.

He was concerned people might end up losing both the post office and the store if the latter did not re-open.

Police later confirmed that their inquiries into the fire are continuing.