Two boys, aged 11 and 13, have been arrested following a suspicious fire that engulfed a vacant commercial property on St Mary’s Street in Southampton.
The fire broke out at around 2pm on March 26, prompting a swift response from emergency services, including Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service.
The intensity of the blaze forced the evacuation of nearby homes and businesses as a precautionary measure. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported to date.
Earlier in the investigation, police released an image showing three individuals on the roof of the building just before the fire started. These suspects have since been identified and excluded from the inquiry.
The two boys currently remain in police custody as inquiries continue. Authorities are appealing to anyone who was near the property before the fire to come forward with any information.
Officers believe that several people may have recorded the fire on their mobile phones but have yet to provide their footage to the investigation team.
“If you or anyone you know was near the building before the fire, any information could be vital,” said a police spokesperson.
Witnesses can contact police by calling 101 and quoting incident number 44190105129, or provide information anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.
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Originally published by UKNIP.
