A TEENAGE boy has been arrested on suspicion of arson after a blaze at a Lakeside shopping centre car park.
Essex Fire Service was initially called out to the fire, in a stairwell of a multi-story car park, shortly before 3pm on Sunday. Their investigation revealed suspicious circumstances around the incident and Essex Police was alerted.
Police conducted enquiries around CCTV and forensic opportunities at the scene. As a result, a 17-year-old boy, from Grays, was arrested yesterday on suspicion of arson.
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.”
Following the arrest made, the boy was questioned and released on bail with conditions attached while enquiries continue.
Anyone with any information is urged to get in touch with police by submitting a report at essex.police.uk or by calling the force on 101 citing incident reference number 42/103953/24.