M&S employee charged with arson after blaze at store

A Marks and Spencers employee has been charged with arson and criminal damage after allegedly setting fire to an Exeter branch of the retail chain.

Robin Woodard, 43, has been remanded in custody and is due to appear again at Exeter Magistrates Court on 24th March. It follows a fire on 26 February at a five-storey M&S, where clothing on the first floor was set alight in the early hours.

Fire crews used breathing apparatus and positive pressure ventilation fans to clear the smoke logged building. At least three appliances were called to deal with the incident after alarms sounded inside the building around 4 am. The store's sprinkler systems were also activated.

According to a report in the Daily Mail, damage to the building, stock and adjacent H Samuel store, coupled with the resulting loss of trade, could run into millions of pounds. Exeter city centre manager, John Harvey, told the newspaper that the damage to the store was "extreme".

However, M&S was due to reopen yesterday after being closed for a fortnight, according to local press, though the basement food hall will be closed until later this year.