Fire crews responded to a significant blaze at a Waitrose supermarket in Hove during the early hours of the morning.
📍 What happened
Emergency services were called at 03:46am on 16 June 2026 to reports of a fire at the store on Nevill Road, Hove. [fia.uk.com], [yahoo.com]
On arrival, firefighters discovered a warehouse fire within the supermarket, which required a large-scale response. [fia.uk.com]
🚒 Emergency response
- Up to 10 fire engines attended at the height of the incident
- Crews from Hove, Brighton, Eastbourne and West Sussex were involved
- Firefighters used multiple hose jets and breathing apparatus to tackle the blaze [fia.uk.com], [yahoo.com]
Operations continued throughout the morning, with crews:
- Extinguishing the fire
- Ventilating the building
- Checking for hotspots before standing down at around 11:30am [fia.uk.com], [yahoo.com]
⚠️ Cause of the fire
The blaze is believed to have started in a warehouse chiller/refrigeration unit while the store was closed. [fia.uk.com], [uk.news.yahoo.com]
A full investigation is ongoing. [fia.uk.com]
👥 Impact
- No injuries were reported
- Nearby roads were closed for several hours while crews dealt with the incident
- The store remains closed until it is safe to reopen [uk.news.yahoo.com], [yahoo.com]
🗣️ Response
Waitrose thanked emergency responders for their quick action, confirming the fire was “quickly contained” thanks to firefighters’ efforts. [fia.uk.com]
🔑 Key takeaway
This incident highlights how:
- Fires can start in plant equipment such as refrigeration systems
- Rapid emergency response can significantly limit damage and prevent injuries
- Ongoing maintenance and monitoring of systems play a crucial role in fire prevention
