1:45 pm, August 6, 2020
Arsonists are believed to have started a fire that broke out at the Guy Salmon Land Rover dealership in Stockport early today (Aug 6).
It erupted in the rear compound, with seven fire engines and a number of support vehicles used at the height of the blaze and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service urging people to stay away as its crews dampened down the area early this morning.
No one was injured, and the Sytner Group, which owns the dealership, issued a statement praising the emergency services – particularly the fire and rescue service for preventing the fire from spreading any further.
@MENnewsdesk Range Rover Jaguar in Stockport currently on fire pic.twitter.com/ODjndx7Jd9
— -em🌸 (@emmorrisx) August 5, 2020
Tweet used by kind permission of @emmorrisx
Explosions were heard and smoke from the blaze could reportedly be seen for miles and people were being told to keep their doors and windows shut.
The Sytner Group added that only superficial damage was caused and said the showroom would be closed today while investigations were carried out, but it expected the dealership to reopen tomorrow (Aug 7).
In a statement, divisional managing director Steve Gough said: ‘The dealership is currently physically closed whilst the emergency services continue their investigations, albeit it is looking likely that an arson attack is the cause.
‘Until we understand the assessment of the emergency services and carry out our own review of the damage, we are unable to comment any further.
‘In the interim, the dealership remains fully open digitally; via telephone, e-mail and live chat and all service customers are being contacted today by our team.
‘We apologise for the inconvenience that this has caused our customers and we anticipate being able to re-open from tomorrow.’
Image: Google Street View
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