Investigators estimated the damage after the fire that engulfed part of Tesco’s department store in Mariánské Lázně late Monday at 20 million crowns. Regional police spokesman Jakub Kopřiva told ČTK. Police are investigating the fire on suspicion of criminal negligence. According to the police, the fire is thought to have started from one of the containers standing in front of the shop. No one was hurt.

“In relation to the fire, we have initiated criminal proceedings for the alleged crime of endangering the public through negligence.” said the nettles. Police will continue to investigate the cause and circumstances of the incident.

The fire was reported shortly after 03:00. Nine fire engines arrived at the scene. “The fire hit part of the building, then spread to the warehouse. The entire object is still smoking, the fire is no longer there.” Lukáš Černý of the Karlovy Vary region Fire and Rescue Service informed ČTK. The fire did not spread to other parts of the center.

According to Tesco spokesman Michal Kuzmiak, the fire likely spread from a container in front of the Sportisimo store, which was most affected by the blaze. The shop was closed and there were no staff at the time of the incident.

“The damage to the Tesco building is being assessed, luckily the building was only minimally impacted – part of the shell. Items in the shop were not affected,” said a spokesman for ČTK. Shops should be open as usual on Tuesday.

Firefighters are clearing out the warehouse and guarding the building against further outbreaks. They haven’t said where the fire started. According to Černý, the damage would amount to several million crowns. The intervention will continue throughout the morning, as well as an investigation into the cause of the fire and inspection of the entire building.