Fourth child arrested following city centre fire

An aerial shot of smoke coming from the building and across Canterbury.Image source, UKNIP
Image caption,

The fire broke out in Canterbury on 2 December

  • Published

A 16-year-old boy has become the fourth child to be arrested on suspicion of arson following a large fire at a former city centre Debenhams store.

The blaze broke out in Guildhall Street, Canterbury, on Monday night, and led to 30 people being evacuated from nine nearby flats.

The 16-year-old from Canterbury was bailed pending further enquiries, as well as a 12-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy, police said.

Another 15-year-old boy from Ashford, who arrested on suspicion of arson on Wednesday, was released without charge.

Firefighting operations finished at the building at 15:30 GMT on Wednesday.

At the height of the incident, eight fire engines and two height vehicles were deployed as well as the technical rescue unit.

One person was also passed into the care of South East Coast Ambulance Service due to smoke inhalation.

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