STAFF at a Winsford charity shop had to witness their beloved store go up in flames yesterday, Saturday.
At around 11am, five fire engines were called to Winsford Cross Shopping Centre in Dene Drive, where crews found a fire in the Headway charity shop.
The fire, suspected to involve strip lighting, spread to a nearby unit and firefighters tackled the blaze with hose reels and an aerial ladder.
The shopping centre was evacuated while the incident was being dealt with and a cordon was set up for safety.
The Headway team posted on update on social media.
They said: “With a heavy heart we have witnessed our shop go up in smoke today.
“We are all safe, so no-one was hurt.
“It was a strip light upstairs that blew sparking the fire, so we have been told by the investigating fire person.
“There is no update on re-opening yet.
“There is smoke damage to other shops.
“We are so glad all are safe from other shops.”
A building inspector confirmed the building was structurally sound, and fire crews started to empty the contents of the unit once the flames were extinguished.
A spokesperson for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “Crews left the incident just before 6pm, having spent more than five-and-a-half hours tackling the fire and helping with the clean-up.
“The cause of the fire is believed to be a faulty electrical circuit.”
Station manager Hannah Caulfield, who commanded the incident, said: "I would like to thank members of the community who provided our firefighters with cold drinks and refreshments during this challenging incident, in very hot conditions.
“They were all very gratefully received."
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