Shoppers have been evacuated after a fire broke out at a busy Greater Manchester supermarket. Crews raced out to Aldi, in Horwich, following reports of an electrical fire shortly before 1.40pm this afternoon (May 14).
Three fire engines from Horwich and Bolton were sent out to the scene, on Mason Street. Firefighters spent less than an hour at the supermarket, having tackled the blaze using specialist equipment, before making sure the scene was safe.
Customers were forced to leave the building and waited outside in the supermarket's car park while firefighters dealt with the incident. Stacey Louise Grundy, who was shopping in the store at the time, told the Manchester Evening News : "I was in Aldi at the check out when the fire alarm started going off.
"Everyone seemed to think it was a false alarm and remained in Aldi for a few minutes until we were asked to leave the store. I overheard a staff member saying there was smoke coming from one of the back rooms."
In a statement, a spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: “At 1.39pm on Saturday, May 14 2022, three fire engines from Horwich and Bolton Central fire stations responded to an electrical fire at a commercial property on Mason Street, Horwich.
“Crews used two breathing apparatus, a thermal imaging camera and a carbon dioxide extinguisher to put out the blaze. Crews were at the scene for approximately 50 minutes.”
Aldi has been approached for comment.
