Cannock Orbital shopping centre told to evacuate as huge fire breaks out

A large shopping centre has been evacuated after a huge fire broke out in the Midlands this morning. The blaze started near the A460 Orbital Island in Cannock, Staffordshire.

Thick plumes of smoke have been sent billowing into the air and can be seen for miles around. Footage appears to show the blaze has broken out at Super Smart Service.

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service has asked local businesses to evacuate and residents have been told to close their windows. Super Smart Service is located next to the M6 Toll alongside the A5, the A460 and Cannock Orbital Retail Park - which contains a number of large stores.

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The shopping centre includes Sainsbury's, M&S Foodhall, Boots, PureGym and Homebase. Just over the road is Cannock Gateway Retail Park which contains TK Maxx and Costa.

Residential estates are located not far away too. Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service said on X/Twitter: "Update on large incident in Cannock, firefighters are asking all residents to close windows and doors due to smoke and all local businesses to evacuate."