THE Co-op supermarket in the centre of Kidlington is a “write off” following a major fire, a fire service incident commander said this morning.

The ground floor supermarket, in High Street, was about a quarter damaged by fire and completely damaged by smoke in the blaze.

About 50 firefighters were called to the fire at about 4.50am and spent about 45 minutes tackling the blaze at “great risk” to themselves.

First on the scene were five firefighters from Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service's headquarters in Sterling Road, virtually opposite the store.

This morning the area around the store is taped off and the windows are blackened. Empty offices above suffered sight smoke damage.

Incident commander Mat Carlile said the presence of combustibles like paper and alcohol posed a strong risk.

He said the store was a “write off” but said: “If it wasn't for the intervention of the Woodstock and Kidlington crews we would have seen a far worse fire and the complete loss of the building.”
 

If you have any pictures of today's fire, please email them to our Picturedesk.