CCTV shows man or youth lighting fire near arson-hit Jewson builders' merchants in Leeds

A MAN or youth has been captured on CCTV lighting a fire near a Jewson builders' merchants in Leeds, before a huge blaze took hold.
Firefighters on the scene on SundayFirefighters on the scene on Sunday
Firefighters on the scene on Sunday

Fire investigators have confirmed that the fire on Sunday, which took 100 firefighters to bring under control, was started deliberately in a number of different places.

It is being treated as arson.

The fire destroyed a large shop building as well as £1.4m of stock on the site, at Moor Road and Lake Terrace in Hunslet. It also damaged a carriage on the nearby Middleton Railway.

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Police have not yet issued the press with images from the CCTV, but detectives have appealed for information.

Detective Inspector James Entwistle, of Leeds District CID, said: “We are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident and would like to hear from anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area in the time leading up to it.

“This has been a very significant fire that has caused an enormous amount of damage at the scene and we are treating it very seriously.

“Checks on CCTV show a male, possibly with others, lighting a small self-contained fire next to the nearby railway line that runs along the perimeter fence prior to the incident.

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"We are keen to identify that person either as a potential suspect or a witness if they can come forward and explain why they were there and what they were doing.

“We have also had reports of a number of youths in the area around the time of the fire and we are keen to hear from anyone who has seen them or who has any information that could assist in identifying who was involved in starting this fire.”

Anyone with any information can contact Leeds District CID via 101 quoting crime reference 13180347640 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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