Kettering shop fire investigators rule out arson

A fire which tore through Kettering Bedding Centre is still under investigation - but arson has been ruled out.
Large Fire: Kettering: Kettering Bedding Centre, fire at business in Regent Street, Kettering. 
Fire and Police on scene
Monday, May 13th 2019 NNL-190513-153802009Large Fire: Kettering: Kettering Bedding Centre, fire at business in Regent Street, Kettering. 
Fire and Police on scene
Monday, May 13th 2019 NNL-190513-153802009
Large Fire: Kettering: Kettering Bedding Centre, fire at business in Regent Street, Kettering. Fire and Police on scene Monday, May 13th 2019 NNL-190513-153802009

The Regent Street shop was destroyed by a blaze at about 12.30pm on May 13, forcing families to evacuate.

Part of the shop has since been demolished over fears for its safety although some nearby residents have been able to return home.

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The cause of the fire, which shop owner Anthony Caswell-Jones said he thought started on the roof, has not yet been determined.

Two roads closed and residents evacuated following fire at Kettering Bedding Centre building.,
Regent Street, Kettering
Monday 13 May 2019. 
Picture by Terry Harris. NNL-190514-101139005Two roads closed and residents evacuated following fire at Kettering Bedding Centre building.,
Regent Street, Kettering
Monday 13 May 2019. 
Picture by Terry Harris. NNL-190514-101139005
Two roads closed and residents evacuated following fire at Kettering Bedding Centre building., Regent Street, Kettering Monday 13 May 2019. Picture by Terry Harris. NNL-190514-101139005

Three weeks on a spokesman for Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed it was not suspicious.

An exact cause is still being investigated.

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Smoke billowed from the shop and was visible across the town before the fire spread with huge flames coming out of the shop’s frontage.

Demolition Starts: Kettering: building demolished after the Regent Street fire at The Bedding Centre. 

Friday, May 24th 2019 NNL-190526-184055009Demolition Starts: Kettering: building demolished after the Regent Street fire at The Bedding Centre. 

Friday, May 24th 2019 NNL-190526-184055009
Demolition Starts: Kettering: building demolished after the Regent Street fire at The Bedding Centre. Friday, May 24th 2019 NNL-190526-184055009

A nearby van was also destroyed by the fire.

Kettering Bedding Centre had run a business there since the late 1960s.

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Last month the owners thanked the community for their support and said they hope to bounce back.

A shop statement said: “Our plan is to open a temporary shop as soon as possible and look to rebuild the bedding centre over time.”