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Canterbury Sainsbury's evacuated as sign catches fire

17:52, 16 November 2018

updated: 12:54, 19 November 2018

A supermarket was evacuated after a sign caught fire.

Shoppers were told to leave Sainsbury's in Kingsmead, Canterbury just before 5pm today after an illuminated sign on the store's roof caught alight.

Shopper Ian Stewart, who lives in Wickhambreux, was at the checkout till and had just paid for his shopping when the siren sounded.

The superstore in Kingsmead was evacuated
The superstore in Kingsmead was evacuated

He said: "I was just checking my Nectar vouchers, when one of the staff asked me to leave."

A fire engine was then seen in the car park.

A spokesman for Kent Fire & Rescue confirmed two engines were sent to the incident, arriving in less than five minutes in rush-hour traffic.

Crews gained access to the flat roof and put out the fire on the free-standing sign.

The fire was caused by an electrical fault.

Nobody was injured during the incident.

Crews also used a thermal imaging camera to check the building was safe to reopen.

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