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Major fire destroys bin store and damages homes and vehicles at Tesco Express, Watercolour
A major fire tore through the communal bin store beside Tesco Express at Watercolour on Friday evening, destroying at least one car, damaging nearby homes and forcing the store to close as residents watched the blaze take hold.
A major fire broke out on Friday evening in the car park beside Tesco Express at Watercolour, Redhill (RH1). The blaze is believed to have started in the communal bin store.
It spread rapidly from the bins, engulfing the wooden bin store before extending towards the side of the Tesco Express building, nearby residential flats and vehicles parked in the car park.
Residents watched as thick black smoke and large flames filled the area while emergency services worked to bring the fire under control. The Tesco Express was forced to close during the incident. At this stage it is not known whether the store itself suffered any internal damage.
Thick black smoke and large flames filled the area as the store was forced to close and emergency services fought to bring the fire under control.
The blaze caused extensive damage to the communal bin store, destroyed at least one vehicle and left another with visible heat and fire damage. Several nearby homes also appeared to have been affected.
Surrey Extra spoke to one local resident, who asked not to be named. His Audi was destroyed after flames spread across the car park. He told us he managed to move another of his vehicles to safety before it too became involved in the blaze.
The resident speculated about the cause of the fire, which had not been confirmed by the authorities at the time. He also expressed concern that his insurance payout may not be enough to replace the vehicle he has lost.
Another nearby Citroën suffered significant scorching to the paintwork along one side after being exposed to the intense heat.
Large numbers of local residents gathered to watch the incident unfold, with many recording videos and taking photographs as firefighters tackled the blaze.
From the first flames to the aftermath
Surrey Extra received photographs from a resident documenting the incident from the very beginning — showing the fire as it started in the bin store, how quickly it spread, and the dramatic scenes as the structure became completely engulfed. The following morning, Surrey Extra attended the scene to photograph and film the aftermath, documenting the burnt-out vehicles, the remains of the bin store and the surrounding damage.
Update: store prepares to reopen
A month on from the fire, Tesco Express at Watercolour appears to be moving a step closer to reopening.
A photograph sent to Surrey Extra in late July shows a notice displayed at the store entrance reading: “We’re working to get things back to normal.” The notice confirms that the store remains closed while the work is carried out.
No reopening date has been given, and barrier tape was still in place across the frontage when the photograph was taken. Surrey Extra will update this article when the store reopens.
Update: staff say the store could reopen on Monday 24 August
Tesco Express at Watercolour could reopen as soon as Monday 24 August, a member of staff at the store has said.
Tesco has not publicly confirmed a reopening date, and the store had not reopened at the time of writing. Until the company says so itself, treat the date as provisional.
The store has been closed since the fire on Friday 26 June. Surrey Extra will update this article again when the doors open.
More from the scene on Instagram
Additional photographs and video footage from the scene can also be viewed on the Surrey Extra Instagram page (@surreyextranews).
This article is based on photographs submitted by local residents, eyewitness information, and images and video captured by Surrey Extra at the scene following the fire. We will update this story if Surrey Fire and Rescue Service or Surrey Police release any further information.
Were you there? If you witnessed this incident or have photographs or video from the scene, please contact Surrey Extra or send us a message on Instagram.