Shoppers evacuated after 'major fire' at retail park

Emergency services were called to reports of a large fire at the St James Retail Park, in Northampton

Shoppers and animals were "safely evacuated" after a major fire broke out inside a store at a retail park.

Emergency services were called to the blaze at a Dunelm store in the St James Retail Park, in Northampton, at about 15:00 BST.

In images sent to the BBC, thick plumes of smoke could be seen billowing into the sky from the home furnishing store.

Dunelm said it was believed "no one was harmed in the incident", while Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service said animals in the Pets at Home shop next door had been "moved to safety".

Nobody is believed to have been injured as a result of the fire, the Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service said

A spokesperson for Dunelm said: "Thankfully everyone was safely evacuated and, as far as we are aware, no one was harmed in the incident.

"Our thanks go to our in-store team who supported our customers throughout, and to the Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service who were on site quickly."

Firefighters remain at the scene and have advised local residents to keep windows and doors shut until further notice.

Towcester Road between the St Peter's Way roundabout and the Shell Garage roundabout is expected to remain shut "well into the evening".

"Thank you for your patience while we deal with this incident," the fire service said.

Shopper Kirsty Connor, who was at the retail park with her children, said seeing the smoke coming from the building was "horrible to watch".

"My daughter was crying over the animals in Pets at Home because she is hoping they are safe," she said.

Thick plumes of smoke being blown towards the town centre

The emergency services have urged local residents to keep their doors and windows closed

Another eyewitness described the scene as "awful and very scary".

"I just hope that all the staff and animals from Pets at Home, which is just next door, are all out safe," she told the BBC.

"We are getting lots of queries in relation to the fire at St James Retail Park regarding the safety of the pets at the store next to the Dunhelm building," police said.

"We have made inquiries and can confirm that the store manager has made swift arrangements to move the animals to safety."