Arson charge four years on

A MAN has been charged with arson four years ago at a Bexhill block of flats.

Now police have appealed for anyone who witnessed the fire or have any memories of it to contact them.

Hastings officers are re-opening the investigation into the blaze at 30-32 Wilton Road, in February 1998.

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During the blaze seven people were led to safety from the converted house at about 10pm.

The fire started in a ground floor flat.

A resident had complained that the lock on the front door had broken and anyone was able to walk into the hallway.

The tenant of the flat was Frances Bruce, who was not home at the time. Neighbours rang the fire brigade and rescued her pet budgie Joey.

A spokesman for the fire brigade said the stairway in the flat was smoke-filled. The door to the flat had been set alight from outside.

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The police investigating officer at the time DC Jo Curtis said paper had been placed against the front door of the flat and set alight.

"The flat was not occupied at the time but adjoining flats were. The incident had the potential for loss of life and the matter is being treated as a serious arson attack."

If anyone has any information contact investigating officer Detective Constable James Hookway on 456106.