Police appeal for witnesses after huge fire at Leicester cash and carry

Police are appealing for witnesses to a large blaze at a cash and carry in Leicester city centre. Leicestershire Police said it was continuing to investigate the cause of the fire that tore through Maps Cash and Carry in Great Central Street yesterday (Thursday, May 2).

It said its detectives, alongside Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, were carrying out further inquiries today. Emergency crews rushed to the scene at just before 4am yesterday, with approximately 40 firefighters tackling the blaze at its most intense.

A nearby block of flats in All Saints Road was evacuated after smoke from the fire set alarms off. A number of roads were also cordoned off in the area, including Bath Lane, Jarvis Street, Welles Street, All Saints Road and Great Central Street.

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Detective Constable Imogen Beasley, the investigating officer, said: “While we’ve spoken to several people already, I’d ask anyone who can help but who has not yet contacted police to do so.

“I’m particularly keen to speak to taxi drivers or other motorists with dashcams who were in the area. Anything the camera captured could help.

“I’d also urge anyone who was walking in the area and saw or heard someone acting in a manner that seemed unusual or suspicious to come forward.” You can pass on information by visiting Leicestershire Police’s website and quoting reference 24*255522

Alternatively you can call 101.

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