A fire broke out at the £70m regional distribution centre of supermarket giant Lidl, next to the A1 in Peterborough. Solar panels on the roof of the giant warehouse – which employs 400 people – caught fire.
The centre opened four years ago.
Lidl Warehouse Solar Panels on fire, Alwalton Hill, Peterborough Friday 23 February 2024. Picture by Terry Harris.
The 45,000 m² distribution centre spans an area equivalent in size to that of more than eight football pitches; it replaced smaller warehouse at Lutterworth.
Lidl Warehouse Solar Panels on fire, Alwalton Hill, Peterborough Friday 23 February 2024.<br />Picture by Terry Harris.Lidl Warehouse Solar Panels on fire, Alwalton Hill, Peterborough Friday 23 February 2024.<br />Picture by Terry Harris.
The warehouse, which initially served 48 stores, uses a natural refrigerant system, which heats and cools the entire building.
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More than 40 firefighters are on the scene.
Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service said they called to deal with the blaze at 1.50pm today.
Lidl Warehouse Solar Panels on fire, Alwalton Hill, Peterborough Friday 23 February 2024.<br />Picture by Terry Harris.Lidl Warehouse Solar Panels on fire, Alwalton Hill, Peterborough Friday 23 February 2024.<br />Picture by Terry Harris.Lidl Warehouse Solar Panels on fire, Alwalton Hill, Peterborough Friday 23 February 2024.<br />Picture by Terry Harris.
Along with solar panels these generate 10 per cent of the total electricity required by the building.
Lidl Warehouse Solar Panels on fire, Alwalton Hill, Peterborough Friday 23 February 2024.<br />Picture by Terry Harris.
