Terrified shoppers scrambled for a supermarket's exits after a man doused clothes with petrol and set them alight, causing hundreds of thousands of pounds damage.
A fireball erupted from racks in the menswear department of Asda, in North Shoebury Road, Shoebury, as mums with children strolled along the aisles.
Waterlogged - a supermarket aisle after the fire Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL
Shoppers who heard the "whoosh" and saw the flames, immediately abandoned trolleys as fire alarms were triggered and a sprinkler system kicked in at 2.25pm yesterday.
It is believed the man bought the petrol can from the nearby garage.
Asda spokesman Nick Agarwal said: "There were 150 staff and 200 customers in the store at the time. The man poured petrol on the clothes in front of two members of staff who then had to intervene as customers began to vent their anger."
Martyn Hodder, assistant divisional commander at Southend fire station, said: "This incident put hundreds of lives at risk.
"Had it not been for the sprinkler system the fire could have taken hold of the roof and this could have been a major incident.
"The place was well alight and heavily smoke damaged."
Police are interviewing a 30-year-old man in connection with the incident.
Published Thursday January 15, 2004
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article