A joint police and fire brigade investigation was today launched following a suspected arson attack on a Basildon supermarket.

Customers at Asda, on the Pipps Hill industrial estate, were evacuated on Saturday after rubbish was set alight in a first floor plant room.

Firefighters wore breathing apparatus to put out the blaze before it spread to the rest of the store.

Fire chiefs believe the arsonist may have climbed a set of stairs inside the store to set light to a pile of rubbish.

Martyn Hodder, divisional commander for Basildon, said there was no serious damage to the store and customers' lives were not put at risk. He said: "We are looking at a possible malicious cause and a joint fire brigade and police investigation has been launched.

"A small pile of rubbish appears to have been set alight and the room was smokelogged. There was no serious threat to shoppers. The staff did the right thing and evacuated the store before we got there."

Provisions manager Trevor Jones said: "We would like to thank our customers for being so patient. Although we practise evacuation routines, it is never with customers.

"It's instances like this you see it all come together."

Anyone with information should call Basildon police on 01268 532212.

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