Telford Spar supermarket fire 'started deliberately'

A fire which badly damaged a Spar supermarket in Shropshire is being treated as suspected arson.

More than 30 firefighters tackled the fire in the shop in Brunel Road, Telford, at about 0030 BST.

No-one was injured. The incident "almost completely gutted" the shop and the scene was sealed off, a West Mercia Police spokesman said.

Four men were arrested and were being questioned on suspicion of arson and violent disorder offences, he added.

West Mercia Police said two 19-year-olds, a 25-year-old and a 37-year-old were in custody.

Police are investigating the possibility that this morning's fire is part of an ongoing dispute in the area Det Ch Insp Alan Edwards

Officers said they were investigating possible links between the fire and reports of violent disorder near the shop on Friday night and Saturday afternoon.

Det Ch Insp Alan Edwards said: "We are treating this incident as a suspected arson at the present time and are working hard to establish the cause of the fire.

"Although we are keeping an open mind, we are looking at the possibility that the fire is linked to two public disorder incidents that occurred on Brunel Road close to the shop over the weekend."

Police received reports that a number of individuals were involved in a big fight between 2230 and 2350 BST on Friday night, Mr Edwards said.

The second incident, sometime between 1400 and 1430 BST on Saturday, was also described to police as violent disorder.

"Witnesses have described a large group of men being involved in both these incidents and police are investigating the possibility that this morning's fire is part of an ongoing dispute in the area," he added.