Ocado Andover depot roof collapses due to fire

The online grocer confirmed there has also been “substantial damage to the majority of the building and its contents”.

The site has been completely closed and all deliveries have been suspended. The depot provides “approximately 10%” of Ocado’s delivery capacity at present.

Ocado said “there will be a reduction in sales growth until we can increase capacity elsewhere”.

It added that “no members of the Ocado team or the public have been injured” and thanked the local emergency services.

Ocado’s statement said: “Unfortunately the fire which started yesterday morning in a corner of the ambient grid was not contained as we believed, and last night expanded. Whilst we are informed by the fire brigade that it is now under control, during the night part of the roof collapsed and there has been substantial damage to the majority of the building and its contents.

“Ocado confirms that no members of the Ocado team or the public have been injured. We are very grateful to the members of the emergency services for their efforts.

“Once we have had time to assess the damage and prepare a plan to return the CFC to operation we will update further as appropriate. As Andover was providing approximately 10% of our current capacity, as a result of this incident there will be a constraint on our ability to meet our growing customer demand and there will be a reduction in sales growth until we can increase capacity elsewhere.

“Ocado has comprehensive insurance for the property, stock and equipment on site, and for business interruption losses.”

The fire began in the early hours of yesterday morning, on the same day Ocado published its financial update for the end of the 2018 financial year.