A fire incident near a Home Bargains store led to the evacuation of a retail park in Wales this evening. The Newport Retail Park, housing various establishments such as Cineworld, McDonald’s, JD Gym, Starbucks, and Burger King, was cleared as the fire extended to the Home Bargains unit’s roof.
Although the fire has been put out, fire service personnel and police remain on-site for investigation. Residents have been urged to keep their windows shut. The South Wales Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson mentioned that crews are managing the situation at Newport Retail Park, advising residents to avoid the area until further updates.
Witnesses shared accounts of the fast-spreading fire, which led to a complete evacuation of all businesses. While some have resumed operations, others are anticipated to remain closed for the night due to the fire’s rapid escalation.
Shoppers Hayley Whiteman and Gillian Phillips recounted being inside Home Bargains when the fire alarm sounded, prompting a swift evacuation as the fire progressed along the building’s exterior. Despite the cold weather, they found themselves stranded at the retail park due to their car being inaccessible.
Cineworld announced closure for the night, directing customers to seek refunds through customer service for any booked tickets. The cinema chain expressed regret for the inconvenience caused by the unexpected circumstances.