A petrol station in Lee-on-the-Solent erupted into flames after a man wielding an axe sparked a terrifying blaze. The incident took place on Thursday, 4 December, at the BP forecourt on Broom Way.
Police received reports at 11:15am of a man threatening people with an axe. Minutes later, fire spread rapidly through multiple vehicles and petrol pumps, causing widespread panic at the scene.
Emergency crews from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire Service and South Central Ambulance rushed to the location. Officers found a man badly burned and immediately transported him to hospital for urgent treatment.
Tragically, a dog caught in the inferno was found dead amid the wreckage.
Tyson Charlie Nevin, 51, from Spicewood in Fareham, was arrested on suspicion of starting the blaze. He faces several charges including arson with intent to endanger life, arson, threatening with a bladed article in public, and causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.
Nevin appeared at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, 31 January 2026. He was remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear at Portsmouth Crown Court on Monday, 2 March 2026.
Originally published by UKNIP.
