Large blaze hits retail development

Sep 23 2008

A large fire has broken out at a multi-million pound retail development, police said.

Flames said to be 50ft high and a series of explosions have been heard at the SouthGate development site, in Bath, Somerset.

A workman said the blaze was centred on block B of the £360 million site, which will house stores such as H&M.

Contractors are believed to be ushering members of the public away from the site.

Staff were seen running from a branch of Halifax and a nearby McDonald's is understood to have been evacuated. Five fire engines were sent to the scene.

Police confirmed the blaze had broken out at the SouthGate site.

Two streets were evacuated and nine streets in total were closed after the emergency services were called.

No one is believed to have been hurt but the area has been cordoned off because gas cylinders are on the site.

Avon and Somerset police spokeswoman Jenny Bigwood said: "We have been alerted to a fire in Bath which has led to the closure of several streets. The area has been cordoned off at the request of the fire and rescue service as there are believed to be a number of gas cylinders on the site. It is not believed that anyone has been hurt in the incident."

Work on the 417,000 sq ft development began last year and it was hoped the first shops would begin to open as early as 2009.