Teenagers arrested in Thurmaston fire investigation

Police have arrested two teenage boys in connection with a major fire at Thurmaston Shopping Centre.

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.

Extensive damage was caused by the fire. Pictured here on Saturday afternoon. Photo: NEMM

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.

Detective Inspector 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."

If anyone has any information that could help police with this ongoing investigation, call 101 – quoting reference 26*359496.