Stock destroyed as blaze sweeps through shopping complex

Last updated at 16:10 06 October 2004


About 200 firefighters have battled a huge blaze at a massive shopping complex in Devon which destroyed half of the building.

Residents were advised to stay indoors as thick smoke spread from the fire at the 100-acre Trago Mills site near Newton Abbot, Devon.

Fire crews fought to keep the blaze, which broke out at around 6am in the shopping centre's main building, away from a petrol station and car showroom.

Devon and Cornwall Police said there were no reports of any casualties and the cause of the fire was not thought to be suspicious.

Motorists travelling on the main A38 past the site were warned to slow down as smoke billowed on to the carriageways.

Environmental health officers also advised residents of a nearby home for Polish war veterans to stay indoors and keep their windows and doors closed as a precaution.

Paul Young, chief fire officer, said containing the blaze had been a "very hard firefighting operation".

He added that 50 to 60 firefighters were expected to stay on site all day and throughout the night.

The fire destroyed around half of the main building, and much of the stock in the unaffected parts was damaged by smoke and water.

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