Boys, 13, arrested over massive fire at shopping centre causing part demolition

Boys, 13, arrested over massive fire at shopping centre causing part demolition A police investigation has led to the arrest of two 13-year-old boys on suspicion of arson after a fire ripped through Thurmaston Shopping Centre in Leicester Two 13-year-old boys have been arrested over a ferocious fire that tore through a Leicester shopping centre and now requires part of it to be demolished. Police were called to Thurmaston Shopping Centre in Barkby Thorpe Lane following reports of a fire just after 4.15am on Saturday, June 20. Eight fire engines, two aerial appliances and more than 40 firefighters were sent to tackle the blaze and afterwards the fire service said that the cause was undetermined. Leicestershire Police have now said that nobody was injured in the incident and an ongoing investigation has led to the arrest of two boys on suspicion of arson. The force said that the fire service has been examining the scene to establish the cause of the fire which remains ongoing and detectives are treating the case as suspected arson. Having examined CCTV footage from the area two boys aged 13 have been arrested and they are currently in police custody. DI Jim Willoughby said: “The fire service is still working to determine the exact cause of the fire but in order to ensure no possible evidential opportunities are lost, we have been carrying out a number of enquiries and are currently treating the fire as a suspected arson attack. “Part of this work has included speaking to people who were in the area at the time and reviewing CCTV in and around the shopping centre. This has led to the arrest of two boys who will now be questioned by police." Demolition works have begun at the site after the fire ripped through six units, including M&S and Greggs. A statement from the police read: "The ongoing investigation into a fire at Thurmaston Shopping Centre has led to the arrest of two teenage boys. Police were called to the shopping centre in Barkby Thorpe Lane just after 4.15am on Saturday 20 June following a report of a fire. "Officers attended alongside colleagues from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service. No one was injured in the incident. During the past few days, the fire service has been working to establish the cause of the fire and this remains ongoing. "Alongside this investigation, police have also been carrying out a number of enquiries and have been treating the incident as a suspected arson. Following enquiries in the area, including reviewing CCTV footage in the area, detectives have arrested two 13-year-old boys on suspicion of arson. They are currently in police custody." Anyone with information should call Leicestershire Police on 101, quoting reference 26*359496.