Fire that destroyed Norfolk Budgens store caused by electrical fault

An enquiry into a fire which destroyed a Budgen’s store in Norfolk has been ruled to have been caused by an electrical fault.

The store in Holt, which was the town’s only supermarket and had been open for over 35 years, was burnt down on evening of Saturday, 20th June.

Firefighters from Norfolk Fire and Rescue attempted to put the blaze out but was sadly unable to, resulting in 82 people losing their jobs.

Shortly after the incident, it was confirmed that sprinklers were not installed in the building due to the sales area being under 2,000 square metres.

A Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “We have concluded our investigations into the fire at Budgens in Holt.

“We believe the cause to be an electrical fault and have passed our findings to the site owners and insurance companies.”

CT Baker Group, owners of the business, said that the building frame leftover from the fire will be removed in mid-August.

Jane Gurney-Read, managing director of CT Baker, said the supermarket would be rebuilt.

She said: “My team and I are working together with all the relevant parties, including the district council’s planning team, to get moving on plans to replace Budgens of Holt as quickly as we can.

“I am absolutely committed to rebuilding the store, and am now considering all the options open to us for a temporary solution in the meantime. These will be shared as soon as they are confirmed.”

The Budgens store was also praised by the community for providing a delivery service throughout the coronavirus lockdown to elderly and vulnerable customers.

Almost £7,500 was raised via a Crowfunder page by 200 people one month after the blaze to help those affected.

North Norfolk District Council has since been offering emergency food parcels and employment support and advise following the fire.