Family history goes up in flames

Though the corrugated iron-roofed structure had passed from family ownership many years before and had been derelict for the past four years, many family memories were locked up in the woodland property known as Yondover, off Buckholt Avenue.

As firefighters from Bexhill and Hastings damped down the last of the blaze, Barry Downing-Waite said: "It used to be my grandfather's place.

"My father and my grandfather built it with their own hands between the wars."

Barry, who lives nearby, added: "They did it all themselves. My parents did their courting here. Their ashes are scattered down among the trees."

The present owner of the land is believed to live in the London area.

Two fire crews from Bexhill and one from Hastings under Station Officer Mani Gilbert ran out long lengths of hose to get a water supply from Buckholt Avenue down an unmade track leading to the bungalow in its woodland setting last Thursday afternoon.

Leading Firefighter Dave Smith said: "There was smoke coming out of the roof from end to end when we arrived. The flames were bursting through at one point."

Station Officer Gilbert said: "It had to be arson. Empty building's don't just catch light. We are putting it down as 'of doubtful origin.'"

Police are treating the fire as of doubtful origin and are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

They say the property is known to be a meeting place for local youths.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable Simon Atkins at Bexhill CID on 0845 6070 999 extension 64253 quoting serial 1135 of April 15.