Shopping centre catches fire as huge plumes of smoke rise into the sky
It is the 11th largest shopping centre in the UK.
Flames are rising from the top floor of a shopping centre in Thurrock, Essex.
Footage circulating online shows a fire raging at Lakeside Shopping Centre earlier this afternoon.
The domed ceiling of a building next to the car park is seen engulfed in flames.
Thick plumes of grey smoke can be seen billowing into the sky as the outer layer of the roof continued to burn.
A message on the shopping centre’s website currently states that the car park is closed, but no additional information has been shared yet.
Lakeside has a dozen free car parks and 11,857 parking spaces, and it is operating from Monday to Sunday.
Multiple videos have been shared online by people driving past the 1,434,000 sq ft shopping centre, the 11th largest in Britain.
Watch manager Danny Harper told Essex Live that crews were called just before 3pm and that the fire has now been extinguished.
He added: ‘Crews have done a great job, and have quickly stopped the fire from spreading further.
‘We believe the fire started in the stairwell on the roof. Luckily there are no cars on this level so no vehicles have been affected.
‘An investigation will now be carried out into the cause of the fire.’
Metro.co.uk has contacted Essex Fire and Rescue Service for a comment on the incident.
This is a developing news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates.
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