A FIRE at Waterstones in Salisbury was sparked by a discarded cigarette, firefghters said today.

The city-centre book shop was evacuated this afternoon after reports of smoke coming from a light fitting.

Two fire engines and an aerial ladder platform were called to the store at the junction of High Street and New Canal at 1.15pm.

Salisbury Fire Station manager Dan Cooke said the fire - which had spread to the roof space - was probably sparked by a cigarette from a staff smoking area.

Although the fire was out on arrival, crews from Wilton and Salisbury scanned the inside of the building with a thermal imaging camera to ensure it was safe before allowing staff to return.

Mr Cooke said: "Fortunately because they evacuated so quickly and dialled 999, we were able to get there quite quickly.

“The fire had found its way into an old void as part of the original construction of the building.

“It would have spread seriously if not detected by staff.

“The most likely cause was a discarded cigarette in an area used by general staff of the shopping centre for smoking on the roof.


“It’s really important if people are going to smoke, they use a dedicated area and dispose of cigarette ends responsibly.

“It could well have spread and destroyed that whole end of the building.”

Firefighters visited the surrounding shops and warned staff about smoking-related fire risks.

Waterstones has now been re-opened.