POLICE in Llanelli have arrested an 18-year-old local youth in connection with a fire which started at the town’s Asda store last night.

Firefighters tackled a blaze, which broke out at 8.15pm.

Eighty five people were evacuated from the store, including staff.

A Mid and West Wales Fire Service spokeswoman said the blaze was “substantial”.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokeswoman said of the youth: “He is currently in police custody and due to be questioned.

“Inquiries into the incident are continuing and anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact Llanelli Police on 101.”

Six crews were despatched to fight the fire after reports of a fire at the supermarket on Murray Street in the town centre.

An eye-witness at the scene said: "You can see the interior of the store seems to be filled with smoke.

"Murray Street has been sealed off.

"Crowds are gathering to see what is going on.

"Police are trying to stop people going into the car park to get a closer look.

"There are firefighters inside the building and the building is full of smoke.

"Smoke is visible from every window that you can see into the building.

"There are six fire engines here."

A spokesman for the Welsh Ambulance Service confirmed it received a call to attend the scene at 8.20pm.

He said: "We had a call from the fire brigade.

"We are on the scene but we are not treating anybody at the moment."

Rob Davies, 29, from Pottery Place in Llanelli heard fire alarms from his house.

He said: "They have opened up the fire doors by the tills.

"There is smoke billowing out.

"There were two ambulances going away from here but there were no flashing lights.

"It is weird, everybody seems to be outside.

"As soon as they opened the door I could smell a strong smell of burning.

"I could hear the alarm from the house."

While the supermarket was closed this morning, the pharmacy will remain open until 5.30pm today, from 8.30am to 5.30pm tomorrow and normal hours on Saturday.

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