Police and fire crews offer advice following arson spate

Police and fire crews will be offering advice to residents in the St Annes Green area between 3pm and 5pm on Friday March 23.

Tony McCord, ESFRS Rother Borough Commander, said: “Following a spate of deliberate fires in the Burwash area, Sussex Police and East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service are working together to target affected areas and raise awareness of safety issues to local residents.

“Firefighters and police officers will be visiting local homes and offering targeted fire safety and crime prevention advice.”

These visits follow an incident last Friday (March 16) where just after 11.30pm a fire was reported to ESFRS and police.

The fire, currently being treated as arson, badly damaged the porch of an empty bungalow in St Annes Green, Burwash.

Forensic examination has confirmed that the fire was started deliberately and detectives are investigating.

Detective Constable Barry Chandler said: “Although nobody was hurt, this is a semi-detached bungalow and the fire might have spread.

“In fact, the next door neighbour’s house was filled with smoke and she was alerted to the fire by another neighbour.

“This is the third such fire in the immediate area over the past two months.

“The other fires in January were also in St Annes Green and on one occasion the resident was inside the property at the time.

“Clearly those people committing these acts of wanton damage have no regard for the lives they are putting at risk.

“It is likely the offenders are living in the area and we are appealing to any local residents who may have heard any information that will assist in identifying those responsible.”

Anyone who has information about the fires is asked to call Sussex Police on 101 quoting serial 1793 of 16/03 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.