内容摘要：They praised colleagues who quickly replenished the missing items and cleaned up - as well as local residents for their kind reactions.

They praised colleagues who quickly replenished the missing items and cleaned up - as well as local residents for their kind reactions.

Mr Marchant became chief executive of Primark in 2009, taking over from the firm's founder Arthur Ryan.In announcing Mr Marchant's resignation, George Weston, chief executive of ABF, said: "I am immensely disappointed. Colleagues and others must be treated with respect and dignity. Our culture has to be, and is, bigger than any one individual."

He added: "At ABF, we believe that high standards of integrity are essential. Acting responsibly is the only way to build and manage a business over the long term."The company said it remains in contact with the individual "who rightly raised her concerns and have offered her our support".While Primark - or Penneys as it is known in Ireland - has been around since 1969 when Mr Ryan opened the first shop in Dublin, it began ramping up its overseas expansion under Mr Marchant's leadership.

Its low-price clothing and rapidly changing stock won over cash-strapped but fashion-conscious younger customers. Although, according to Catherine Shuttleworth, retail analyst at the consultancy Savvy, it has got "ubiquitous appeal".She said: "It has allowed access to affordable clothing for everybody and that has tied into a period of time where global supply chains have significantly changed, so that means you can access products and materials better and more easily."

Prior to Primark, Mr Marchant worked for a number of retailers such as Debenhams, Topman and New Look. But, like his predecessor Mr Ryan, he has remained out of the spotlight.

Ms Shuttleworth said Primark's leadership "flies under the radar a bit because - it sounds a bit cheesy - they let their shops and their products do the talking".Two fire engines, plus an off-road Unimog and water carrier attended and crews worked to prevent the spread of the fire.

A spokesperson said smoke levels had reduced and nearby residents could open doors and windows again.One crew remained on site overnight and the fire service said the fire had now been extinguished.

It said the cause of the fire was not yet known and no casualties had been reported.The lorry has now been moved to another part of the site.