A fire incident at a retail park in Wales led to the evacuation of several establishments, including a Home Bargains store. Newport Retail Park saw the evacuation of restaurants and stores such as Cineworld, McDonald’s, JD Gym, Starbucks, and Burger King as the fire reportedly extended to the Home Bargains unit roof.
Although the fire has been put out, emergency services, including the fire department and police, are still present for investigation. Local residents have been advised to keep windows closed. A spokesperson for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service mentioned ongoing operations at Newport Retail Park and cautioned residents to avoid the area.
Witnesses described the rapid spread of the fire, leading to a full evacuation of businesses. Burger King staff shared accounts of a blackout and swift evacuation, noting the closure of most establishments for the night due to the fire reaching the roof by the time firefighters arrived.
Shoppers Hayley Whiteman and Gillian Phillips recounted being in Home Bargains when the fire alarm sounded, prompting a swift evacuation as flames climbed the building’s side. Some individuals found themselves stranded at the park due to their vehicles being inaccessible, potentially facing an extended stay despite chilly weather conditions.
Cineworld announced closure for the evening, urging customers to seek refunds through customer services for any booked tickets. The cinema chain expressed apologies for the closure and any inconvenience caused to patrons.