Teenage boy, 17, arrested after fire in stairwell at Lakeside Shopping Centre

A teenage boy has been arrested on suspicion of arson after a fire in a stairwell at Lakeside Shopping Centre. Firefighters descended on the busy Essex complex shortly before 3pm on Sunday (July 7).

Images shared to social media showed large plumes of smoke rising from a multi-storey car park. An initial investigation by Essex County Fire and Rescue Service revealed suspicious circumstances and Essex Police began an investigation.

Officers attended and conducted enquiries around CCTV and forensic opportunities at the scene. As a result of this work, a 17-year-old boy, from Grays, was arrested on Tuesday (July 9) on suspicion of arson.

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He was questioned and released on bail with conditions attached while our enquiries continue. Anyone with information about the incident remains encouraged to get in touch with Essex Police to support their investigation.

Sergeant Amelia Moore, of Thurrock Community Policing Team, said: “We are aware of the public concern connected to this fire and we have worked hard with our fire service colleagues to investigate the cause. We maintain a presence at Lakeside throughout the year and will continue to work with partners to ensure visitors to this busy shopping centre feel safe.”

A spokesperson added: “You can let us know by submitting a report on our website or by using our online Live Chat service which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It can be found at the bottom right of our homepage at www.essex.police.uk.

“Visit www.essex.police.uk/digital101 to find out more about our website reporting services. Please cite incident reference number 42/103953/24.”

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