Flames tore through the Dunelm store before spreading to an adjacent Pets at Home at the retail park, with towering plumes of smoke seen for miles above the city – with three people arrested
Dramatic footage of fire at Dunelm store in Northampton
Fire crews battled through the night after a ferocious blaze tore through a Dunelm store at a retail park this weekend. Emergency services raced to the scene off Towcester Road in Northampton shortly after 3pm on Saturday as thick black smoke billowed high into the sky and was visible for miles.
Images showed multiple fire engines at the scene with flames beginning to spread to an adjacent Pets at Home store. Dramatic aerial footage shared by X user @tonyamk captured the towering plume as flames raged across the site. Northamptonshire Police has confirmed three people have been arrested on suspicion of arson. They remain in custody as investigations continue.
Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue crews were still at the site on Sunday, and said in a statement: “At this time, the smoke from the fire continues to blow toward the town centre and we would still advise people in the local area to keep windows and doors shut.”
Detective Chief Inspector Andrew Tuff said: “At the present time, we believe this fire to have been started deliberately and throughout the day, have made a number of fast-paced enquiries which has led to these three arrests.
“However, I now want to appeal to the public for any information which could help our investigation. If you were in, or near, the Dunelm store this afternoon and saw anything suspicious, please contact us.
DCI Tuff continued: “I am particularly interested in speaking to a man who allegedly saw people setting fires in the Dunelm toilets a short time before the incident was reported.
“This incident has not only caused significant damage and disruption but will have had a very serious effect on the wellbeing of the local people who work in Dunelm and the surrounding stores. Therefore if anyone knows anything, I would please urge you to come forward. Witnesses or anyone with information should call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.”
A spokesperson for Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue said: “Our fire crews are still on the scene of a fire at the St James Retail Park in Northampton this morning (June 1). At this time, the smoke from the fire continues to blow toward the town centre and we would still advise people in the local area to keep windows and doors shut.
“The retail park will remain closed until further notice. Thank you to the public for their support while we continue to deal with this incident.”