A serious fire incident is being reported at Lakeside Shopping Centre in south Essex. Eye-witness accounts on social media show large plumes of smoke billowing into the air from a car park at the shopping centre.
A banner on the centre’s website says Car Park A is currently closed. Emergency services including Essex County Fire and Rescue Service have been approached for comment. Lakeside Shopping Centre is one of Essex’s largest shopping centres.
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16:32Freddie Lynne
That’s all for our live coverage of this incident today
Now the fire is out we’ll be ending our live coverage for today, but we’ll be covering this incident further as information from the investigation of its cause is released.
If you witnessed the incident and have information or images you can get in touch by emailing [email protected]
16:05Matt Lee
Fire crews to probe cause of fire at Lakeside Shopping Centre
Firefighters were called to Lakeside Shopping Centre in Thurrock at 2.52pm after reports of a fire in the roof of a multi-story car park. Crews from Grays, Corringham and Brentwood were sent to the incident.
On arrival, they confirmed it was a fire in the stairwell of the roof. Crews extinguished the fire by 3.25pm.
Watch Manager Danny Harper said: “Crews have done a great job, and have quickly stopped the fire from spreading further. We believe the fire started in the stairwell on the roof. Luckily there are no cars on this level so no vehicles have been affected. An investigation will now be carried out into the cause of the fire.”
16:04Key Event
BREAKING: ECFRS confirms fire now extinguished
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed a fire at Lakeside Shopping Centre has been extinguished.
15:56Matt Lee
Several fire crews attending fire at Lakeside Shopping Centre
A number of fire crews are attending the incident at Lakeside Shopping Centre, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service has said.
Crews from Brentwood, Grays and Corringham are currently attending.
15:45Key Event
Video from the scene
This is the scene at Lakeside Shopping Centre where the top of a car park is understood to be on fire.
15:39Matt Lee
What we know so far about Lakeside Shopping Centre fire
Details about this serious incident are currently scarce. We will not speculate about what has happened.
What we can tell you, however, is that photos and videos shared to social media appear to show large plumes of smoke rising from the roof of a car park at Lakeside Shopping Centre.
The centre’s website has a warning banner that states: “Car Park A is closed.”
We await further information from the emergency services.
15:36Matt Lee
Welcome
Good afternoon and welcome to this live blog as a serious incident is ongoing at Lakeside Shopping Centre
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
