A RETAILER has said it will be 'lucky' to re-open within a week after fire ravaged the electrics and caused structural damage inside the store.

But it also claims that no stock - of its own or customers - was damaged in the aftermath of the early-morning arson, despite thousands of pounds worth of damage caused.

The shop was set alight after a burning bin was pushed against the back of the Dalton Road premises in the very early hours of Sunday morning.

Steve McKay, CGX Regional Manager, explained how this set the second floor of the building on fire, causing smoke and structural damage, and destroying electrics.

He said: "It is just senseless vandalism really. They do not realise that setting the bin on fire can have such a big knock on effect - setting the building on fire and then leading to this huge clean-up from us.

"It is not nice, being woken up at 4.00am with the knowledge that your building is on fire."

Mr McKay said that CGX will be 'lucky' if it can re-open within the week, stating that although work was underway, the maximum extent of the damage is not yet understood.

Police have issued an appeal for anyone who might have any CCTV footage of the town centre.

A spokesman for Cumbria Police said: "Emergency services were called to a commercial premises in Dalton Road in Barrow at 4.20am following a report of a wheelie bin having been set alight and pushed against a building.

"The bin fire spread to the building and police and fire attended the scene.

"A road closure was put in place in Dalton Road and people are asked to avoid the area and seek alternative routes.

"Anyone with information relating to this incident can report online at www.cumbria.police.uk/reportit quoting incident number 49 of 2 October 2022. You can also phone on 101.

"Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111."