Portsmouth man arrested after derelict care home in Liss burnt to the ground
The derelict building was destroyed after fire fighters fought the blaze for over a day
A man from Portsmouth has been arrested after a derelict building was burnt to the ground.
The 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of arson after firefighters tackled at a former care home off London Road in Liss. The incident was reported at 11.37pm on Tuesday, August 18, prompting a massive fire service response with crews from across Hampshire attending the scene.
The fire was confirmed to be out at 10pm the next day with crews continuing to visit the scene thereafter to ensure there were no remaining hotspots.
A Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary spokesperson said: “A man has been arrested as part of an arson investigation in East Hampshire. Police were called at 11.37pm on 18 August after a fire had started in a derelict building on London Road, near Rake. The road was closed for a lengthy period of time while emergency services dealt with the incident.
“No one was reported injured as a result of the fire. As part of enquiries an 18-year-old man from Portsmouth was arrested on suspicion of arson. He remains in custody at this time.”
At the time of the blaze, a Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service spokesperson said: “Crews from Odiham, Basingstoke, Fareham, Fleet, Bordon, Alton, Rushmoor, Grayshott, Havant, Liphook, Cosham, Southsea and Portchester, as well as an Aerial Ladder Platform and an Incident Command Unit, were alerted to a fire at a derelict care home on London Road, Liss.
“The first, second and third floors, as well as the roof of the building, became involved in the blaze. The building later collapsed, resulting in falling debris and embers.”
The stop message for the fire was sent out at 9.40pm on Wednesday, August 19.