A SUPERMARKET was evacuated after a fridge caught fire.

Dozens of shoppers and staff were told to leave the Asda store, on South Church Road, in Bishop Auckland, at about 1.20pm on Saturday, following a small fire in an industrial fridge at the premises.

Fire crews from Bishop Auckland attended the scene and the store was re-opened to the public by 2pm.

The Northern Echo: Asda Bishop Auckland store evacuated.

Shoppers outside the store. Picture: David Hope

One shopper, who was among those evacuated, said: “The fire alarm sounded and there was a tannoy message telling all staff and customers to leave the store immediately.

“Everyone abandoned their trolleys in the aisles and waited outside on the concourse at the entrance.

“The fire brigade came and about 15 minutes later they said they were just waiting for the smoke to clear before they would allow us back in there.

“It was all very orderly, there was no panicking.”

An Asda spokeswoman said the store was evacuated for about 30 minutes after a small fire in the cafe.