Fire at Leekes furniture store in Bedworth was arson

[dutchman]

Firefighters were called out to a fire after a suspected arson attack at the Leekes furniture store in Bedworth.



Four fire crews and police were called to the now-vacant furniture store in Leicester Road at 10.45pm on Friday which has been earmarked for demolition.

Firefighters were at the two-storey building for more than two hours extinguishing the flames, which started on the first floor, and making the premises safe.

Neighbours claim it is just the latest in a series of fires and incidents of antisocial behaviour at the former Cole’s furniture store.

The site is part of a planned 39-home housing development by the Cassidy Group, complete with parkland and a play area.

Inspector Andy Reynolds, of Warwickshire Police, said: "It was a derelict building.

"The fire service have indicated that is was suspicious so it has been recorded as arson and will be investigated in due course."

[dutchman]

Bedworth residents concerned after empty furniture store blaze

RESIDENTS are demanding action after arsonists started a blaze at the derelict Leekes furniture store in Bedworth.

Four fire crews attended the blaze in Leicester Road and firefighters spent two hours battling the flames from 10.45pm on Friday.

The site has been earmarked for demolition and is part of a planned 39-home housing development by the Cassidy Group, complete with parkland and a play area.

But residents say it has become a magnet for antisocial behaviour.

Two fire crews from Bedworth and Nuneaton initially responded to the call but immediately called for back up. They were soon joined by two more fire engines from Nuneaton and Atherstone at the 100-metre by 200-metre property.

Fire crews doused flames using a hose jet from an extension ladder launched from one of the fire engines as residents looked on.

This was backed by three more hose jets being used from the ground which targeted the source of the fire using thermal imaging cameras.

Neighbours claim it is just the latest in a series of fires and incidents of antisocial behaviour by youths breaking in to the premises.

Sarah Bailey lives two doors down from the former Leekes store in Leicester Road.

She had her sat nav stolen from her car moments before residents noticed smoke billowing out of the building.

“They’ve bought the land to build houses on it but it’s not been secured,” she said.

“It’s been like this for months now. The police are getting called out here regularly now. There are always kids on the roof and fires being started.

“People have been inside and tried to take the copper out. Now after the fire there’s a great big square whole at the back. People will be able to get straight in.

“It’s really dangerous.”

Formerly Cole’s furniture store, Warwickshire Fire Service said the fire started on the first floor of the two-storey building.

Sarah said residents in Leicester Road and in bungalows in Chamberlaine Street at the rear of the building are concerned that asbestos roofing still on site could go up in flames next time.

The mother-of-one added: “It’s a worry to us because people are setting fires right next to our homes. If that great big corrugated asbestos roof goes up we are worried about asbestos poisoning.”

“Inspector Andy Reynolds, of Warwickshire Police, said: “It was a derelict building.

“The fire service have indicated that is was suspicious so it has been recorded as arson and will be investigated in due course.”