A police investigation has started after burglars broke into a shop and then set it alight, causing “significant” damage.
The Age UK charity shop in Yeovil suffered fire damage on both its first and second floors, and lost all of its stock in the blaze. Police said there was evidence of a burglary before the fire was started.
While both fire and burglary are relatively rare occurrences, it’s important to insure your property against both, no matter what type of retail outfit you run. As well as general business insurance, you should also have a good shop insurance policy to cover your stock.
The Age UK blaze took more than four hours to control and was attended by five fire appliances. Fortunately, no one was hurt in the incident, although the shop will remain closed until further notice.
A police spokesman said: "We're working with investigators from Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service to find out what started a fire, which caused significant damage to the Age UK shop in Middle Street.
"Our inquiry has confirmed there was a burglary at the store around 6pm last night in which a quantity of petty cash was stolen, following which a fire broke out. Two men were seen in the South Street area shortly after the break-in and we're in the process of reviewing CCTV footage in the local area.”
A number of people took pictures and video of the fire on their mobile phones and officers are appealing for anyone who did to come forward. They believe that the two suspects may still have been in the area and could have been captured on film.
The fire started around 6 o’clock in the evening when there were a lot of people in the area around the shop on Middle Street.
