A large fire has broken out at a shopping centre in Leicestershire.
Firefighters were called out to Thurmaston Shopping Centre in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Dramatic photos from the scene show the part of the roof collapsed and smoke billowing from the top of the building, as a large crowd gathered round to watch.
The fire service sent eight fire engines, two aerial appliances and more than 40 firefighters to the scene, a spokesperson said. The fire has now been extinguished.
Residents were advised to keep windows and doors closed as the plume of smoke spread through the area.
Several shops were forced to close, some of which are expected to open on Saturday, while Greggs, Mountain Warehouse and M&S remain closed, Leicestershire Live reported.
Jordan Slack, 29, who lives near the shopping centre, said he was “shocked” by the fire.
“I couldn’t believe it. Nothing has ever happened like this around here. I mean this shopping centre has been here for around 20 years and it’s the first big incident we’ve had here,” he said.
“Nothing really happens in Thurmaston so as you can see everyone is out here this morning seeing what’s happened.
“When I first saw the pictures, I thought the fire would take the whole shopping centre but thankfully it was stopped before it grew further.”
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