COMMERCIAL premises in Redditch are to be targeted in an awareness campaign after a severe blaze at a town supermarket.

The fire brigade launched the project after hundreds of thousands of pounds damage was caused in the latest fire at Kwik Save in Woodrow Centre.

Six fire crews battled for more than an hour to bring the blaze, being treated as arson, under control.

Firefighters will contact various Redditch businesses to give advice and guidance on preventing such fires, which have increased in number.

Sub officer Gary Jay said: "The number of fires at commercial premises in Redditch is a problem and we aim to target premises and give them advice.

"It will be a very pro-active approach, we would rather prevent fires rather than deal with them once they have started."

Sub officer Jay said there were a lot of skip fires in Redditch which could spread to the main buildings.

He said: "We will advise firms to keep skips five to six metres from buildings to fires spreading from them."

He added: "We will also warn businesses against accumulating rubbish and waste behind buildings.

"Kids could set fire to it, the blaze could spread to main buildings causing major problems."

During the last 12 months there have been 172 skip fires in Redditch, which makes up between nine and 10 per cent of all blazes in the town.

Three juveniles have been arrested and released on bail following the fire at Kwik Save.