Police launch arson probe after massive fire guts six shops in Ringwood
Blaze sparks chaos in Ringwood market town
Firefighters raced to a blaze that erupted behind a row of shops in Ringwood, initially reported as a rubbish bin fire. But on arrival, crews found flames had spread rapidly into the roof space of six shops, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.
Eight fire engines were scrambled from Hampshire, Dorset, and Wiltshire. Around 50 firefighters battled the inferno using water, foam jets, and an aerial ladder platform to stop the fire from spreading further.
Roof space destroyed but no injuries
The fire completely destroyed the roof space across all six shop units. Miraculously, no-one was hurt in the blaze. Police crime scene investigators spent the day combing the site, confirming the fire was suspicious and launching a full arson inquiry.
Nearby Sainsbury’s forced to close
The adjacent Sainsbury’s supermarket also suffered disruption and was forced to shut temporarily. Police Community Support Officers have been drafted in to guard the affected area as investigations continue.
Specialist foam system helps control the fire
The firefighting effort took several hours, including the use of a specialist CAF Foam system brought all the way in from Eastleigh. Crews worked through the night to bring the blaze under control and protect neighbouring buildings.
