300 customers were in the store at the first sign of emergency, unaware that the building would soon be reduced to black rubble.
The fire broke out at 3pm, the roof collapsed just half an hour later and finally, at 6.42pm, it was announced that the fire was under control.
25 fire engines brought 150 firemen to the scene to fight the blaze, as members of the public abandoned their cars to watch the fire destroy the super-store, and staff members watched, shocked, from the car park.
Just days away from Christmas, the store was packed with shoppers, however, the Observer reported that many noted how calm and efficient the evacuation was.
There were no casualties reported, despite the store going up in flames in just minutes.
Firemen and staff tried to pinpoint the cause of the fire, with methane being ruled out after fears that the gas would have been present on the former rubbish tip where the store was built.
One resident, Reverend Richard Griffiths, said the blaze was ‘a warning from God’ about Sunday trading, while many shoppers and members of staff recalled hearing an ‘explosion’. However, a blast was ruled out.
The store was criticised after the fire for its lack of sprinklers, which some said may have slowed down the spread, but this was also disputed by the company.
The blaze was estimated to have cost more than £10 million worth of damage.
1. Pictures of the 1993 fire that destroyed Sainsbury's
Staff members said the fire spread through the store in minutes, and many recalled hearing what sounded like an explosion. Photo: Chichester Observer
2. Pictures of the 1993 fire that destroyed Sainsbury's
Firemen putting out the blaze. Photo: Chichester Observer
3. Pictures of the 1993 fire that destroyed Sainsbury's
Firemen dampening the wreckage left behind. Photo: Chichester Observer
4. Pictures of the 1993 fire that destroyed Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's staff. Photo: Chichester Observer