Detectives investigating a fire at a shopping arcade in Lancaster released a CCTV image of three boys they wanted to speak to, who have quickly come forward and are assisting officers with their enquiries.
The fire – which is being treated as suspicious at this time – started at around 8.40pm on Wednesday 1st June at St. Nicholas Arcades shopping centre on Lancaster Gate. It occurred in the vicinity of the Poundland and Superdrug stores and is thought to have caused around £10,000 to £15,000 worth of damage to the building.
Firefighters from Lancaster, Morecambe, Bolton-le-Sands, and Carnforth were called to action to tackle the blaze, which involved a bitumen flat roof and other plastic materials.
Enquiries are on-going to establish the circumstances surrounding the fire and officers are working closely alongside Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service.
DC Tris Hardwick of Lancaster CID had asked for the three boys pictured on CCTV to come forward as they may have “some vital information that could assist with our on-going enquiries.
“I would urge anyone who has any information about the fire itself, to come forward and get in touch with us as soon as possible,” Tris added.
• Anyone with information can contact police on 101 quoting crime reference WB1604292. Alternatively Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at Crimestoppers-uk.org