VIDEO: Matalan firefighters praised by police as investigations continue
POLICE have described the aftermath of Grimsby's Matalan fire as a "scene of devastation" and say they are keeping an open mind about if it was deliberate or accidental.
The true extent of Sunday's blaze has been revealed when the Grimsby Telegraph was allowed inside the gutted building, on Alexandra Retail Park, while officers carried out investigations yesterday.
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The aftermath of the fire at the Matalan Store in Grimsby
The massive fire – which was sparked while shoppers were still inside the store at about 3.45pm – is officially being treated as suspicious, but Detective Inspector Andy Biggs, of Humberside Police, has said there is no "definite answer" as yet.
As reported here on This Is Grimsby during the fire and in yesterday's newspaper, more than 40 firefighters tackled the flames for two hours, with plumes of smoke billowing over North East Lincolnshire.
Both a member of staff and a shopper claimed shoplifters had tried to burn off security tags from some clothes and had run away just before the alarm went off.
Parts of the inside of the building are gutted by the fire.
Today rumours continue to circulate about the cause and the circumstance surrounding the blaze, as both police and the fire service continue inquiries, including examining CCTV footage.
Detective Inspector Biggs said: "Scenes of crime investigators are looking at the scene trying to determine what the cause is.
"As yet, there isn't a definite answer, but we are keeping an open mind about whether it was deliberate or accidental.
The aftermath of the fire at the Matalan Store in Grimsby.
"The fire brigade did a fantastic job but it is now a scene of devastation. We need to go through the evidence and we are treating it as suspicious.
"The damage could have been a lot worse."
See your Grimsby Telegraph today to find out more – and find out what Matalan officials could tell us about the incident. Keep checking www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk throughout today for any updates.
10 Comments
by lollie, cleethorpes
Thursday, June 10 2010, 6:15PM
“carnt belive it went up in flames my sister just left about 2 hours ago before it all happened i feal so sorry for all the staff and shoppers and the dress and tankini that my sister wanted is now in ashes and i love winding her up about it lol good luc matalan get well soon xxxx :'((”
by Michaela, Grimsby
Thursday, June 10 2010, 2:55PM
“So they have arrested a "person" for starting the fire? No doubt some drugged up, thieving scumbag who wanted to sell stolen goods on for more heroin or some other s*** so they can have another fix. Pity they didn¿t get caught in the fire then us "honest" taxpayers would save money having to keep her in prison for a while? I feel for all the staff who have now lost their jobs or have to travel further to earn an "honest" living. Lets hope they can get the store up and running again soon.”
by Dismayed Relative of Employee, Cleethorpes
Tuesday, June 08 2010, 10:27PM
“From what I understand, 'somebody' was trying to melt these security tags off a dress, which caught fire. This person then dropped the dress, which was on fire and left the store.
Amazing how it managed to spread like that - did they not have a fire system?!”
by Dismayed Relative of Employee, Cleethorpes
Tuesday, June 08 2010, 9:12PM
“Annoyingly, Matalan have now asked employees from the Grimsby store to travel to other stores, the nearest being Hull and Scunthorpe. All expected to provide their own transport, although I imagine some will share cars.
The alternative is to take unpaid holiday for approximately 6 months while a new store is built!
It's a complete joke and has now meant that I personally cannot work my paid overtime of £15/hour at a company in Grimsby due to us previously sharing a car that is now going to be used for all this travelling. So this 'solution' doesn't work either!
They should sort out a mini bus to collect employees from the retail park or some other amicable location and take them to the other stores. What a completely disorganised and unprofessional company.
This information is the latest direct from a Matalan employee.”
by jon, grim
Tuesday, June 08 2010, 7:48PM
“the cctv will prob b intact as it is recorded instore & will also send a live feed to a server somewhere in the uk. all big company's do this just in case there's a break in or in this case a fire. i just hope that the person that has done this crime goes down..”
by adam, louth
Tuesday, June 08 2010, 7:36PM
“why can t matalan have a temporary store where allied carpets was.Then all the staff wont lose their jobs and matalan will still trade then when the other one is fixed they can move back”
by MrsT, Clee
Tuesday, June 08 2010, 2:54PM
“I think if this is true, its such a shame someone finds the need to burn off secutrity tags, In a small confined space to steal clothes so sell on to probally fund a drug or alcohol habbit (they are the only reason I can think as to why someone would steal!)
Once this person is charged I hope they are named and shamed.
I also hope they re-open Matalan soon..
In doing this they have put peoples lives at risk and peoples jobs in the balance.”
by Derek, Grimsby
Tuesday, June 08 2010, 2:05PM
“here is one big question for all, why did this building did not have a sprnkler system installed for a clothing store right near a petal station as well, the damage would have been contanted, and the store would only be closed for a few days or week”
by Liam, clee
Tuesday, June 08 2010, 11:44AM
“hope the staff and shoppers got a good look at the shoplifters who caused this, maybe get an arrest.
Obviously CCTV wouldnt have survived, unless the outside security got a pic of the first people out of the door running (most likely the culprits)??
so lucky noone was seriously hurt or killed.”
by liam, clee
Tuesday, June 08 2010, 11:42AM
“hope the staff and customers got a good look at the shoplifters who caused this. Obviously CCTV wouldnt have survived the blaze.
luckily noone was serioulsy injured or killed.”