Girl arrested over store fire

A GIRL has been arrested in connection with last week s arson attack on Budgens supermarket in Heathfield.

The 15-year-old, believed to be local, was arrested by police officers on Monday.

She has been released on police bail and is due to appear again at Eastbourne Police Station in October.

The fire, on Bank Holiday Monday, is estimated to have caused up to 750,000 worth of damage to the Station Road store.

However, shoppers in Heathfield received a boost this week when it was revealed that part of the fire ravaged supermarket would reopen next week.

The post office complex at the supermarket is set to re-open on Friday September 14. A spokesperson for Budgens added that it was hoped the main part of the store would be open for limited business in about a month.

Joy Newnham said: We are hoping to have a very limited range of stock available in around three to four weeks. All the stock that was in the store at the time of the fire was destroyed by smoke and water damage.

We would like to apologise to our customers for the inconvenience caused and we assure them that we are doing everything we can within our power to get the store up and running again as soon as possible.

Ms Newnham added that the store s 29 members of staff had been relocated in other Budgen stores while the Heathfield branch was closed.

Dustbins

Police last week launched an arson investigation after a fire in the store s loading bay spread to the rest of the building. The fire started when dustbins to the rear of the building were deliberately set alight.

A spokesman for East Sussex Fire Brigade said: Budgens has had three attacks on rubbish bins since May. The first two attacks were extinguished before damage was done to the building.

Part of East Sussex Fire Brigade s strategy to reduce the effect of arson is to advise businesses and shopkeepers across the county to keep rubbish bins in a safe place away from buildings.

We take arson very seriously. Arson inflicts damage on our communities. The physical damage to the property affected can have a serious effect on some communities as it can deter people from moving into an area, and new businesses from seeking expansion.

Police have responded to rumours that potential witnesses have been put off giving information for fear of reprisals.

Police press officer Mark Hazelby said: We would like these people to come forward. It was a fine and dry evening when there may well have been dog-walkers out and about. If an individual has any information they can give it in the strictest of confidence by ringing Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. The officer dealing with the investigation is DC Gill Piloni.