ASOS blaze being treated as arson

A FIRE at online fashion giant ASOS’s main distribution centre in Barnsley is believed to have been started deliberately.

The fire, which was started on Friday night, forced the retailer to stop taking orders until 2am this morning.

Around 500 workers were evacuated from the site and ASOS said this morning that it estimates around 20% of the stock has been compromised by fire damage and the sprinkler systems. Around 70% of the £159m stock is held at Barnsley. 

In a statement to shareholders this morning, ASOS said: “Thanks to swift action by our team at the site, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue and our security systems, we are very grateful there were no injuries. 
 
“We have been advised by the South Yorkshire Police that after initial investigations, they are treating the incident as deliberate and have commenced a criminal enquiry. We are cooperating fully with this investigation.”