'Hard to put into words' - Eastbourne business reeling following suspected arson attack

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (ESFRS) were called to Eastbourne Tyre Company in Fort Road at 10:39pm on Wednesday to reports of a van fire, which was extinguished by 11.24pm.

Sussex Police said the fire is being treated as “suspicious”, while ESFRS said it was believed to have been started “deliberately”.

The business’s Director Matt Price and Depot Manager Finlay Hind are still struggling to understand how and why the incident happened.

Having only acquired the mobile-tyre-fitting van on July 25, the vehicle was due to be part of the business’s mobile expansion to get out and serve more customers.

Matt admitted the idea that the fire could have been started “deliberately” made him feel very uneasy, and Finlay declared it a ‘miracle’ that the blaze didn’t spread as the van sat inches from two pumps containing ‘2,000 litres’ of petrol and diesel.

Finlay said: “It’s quite upsetting – it’s hard to put into words. The petrol pumps are right there, you’ve got houses right there.

“This is a community built around us. This building has been here since 1929, and all of this came after the fact. It’s just unbelievable really.”

Finlay noted that the fire began at 10:36, and the garage’s neighbours notified the fire service within minutes.

He said: “It was just an immense effort all round. We’ve got a great relationship with everyone around here. We’re a community, a family-run business.

“And if it wasn’t for the fire service, we wouldn’t be stood here right now having this conversation – I can promise you that.”

Founded in 1925, Eastbourne Tyre Company has been a staple of the community for more than a century, and Matt is the fourth-generation owner of the family business.

There are markers throughout the site of the business’s rich history, including a drawing of the building’s original architectural design and decades-old pictures of employees.

Finlay said that while the police investigation continued, it was ‘business as usual’ as their three other vans continued to serve customers across the town.

Matt ruled out starting any fundraisers despite the damage, instead asking their customers to keep supporting them by using their services.

Meanwhile, Sussex Police said officers are pursuing ‘multiple lines of enquiry in an ongoing investigation’.

A spokesperson for Sussex Police said: “Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has relevant information such as CCTV or mobile footage is encouraged to report it to us online or by calling 101 quoting serial 1602 of 9/9.”