Police seek trio after series of arson attacks in Eastbourne

Police investigating a series of arson attacks in Eastbourne are appealing for witnesses.
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Officers are investigating four fires in the space of two weeks – three at the Alexandra Arms pub in Seaside and a fourth at a disused property in nearby Fort Lane.

The three pub fires happened in the early hours of July 2, the evening of July 8, and the early hours of July 11.

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While the fourth fire in Fort Lane happened at around 11.30pm on Wednesday (July 15), police said.

Fire at the Alexandra Arms pub in Seaside on July 11, photo by Dan JessupFire at the Alexandra Arms pub in Seaside on July 11, photo by Dan Jessup
Fire at the Alexandra Arms pub in Seaside on July 11, photo by Dan Jessup

No one has been injured during any of the fires, but extensive damage has been caused to the buildings.

Detectives are conducting numerous enquiries to determine who is responsible for the blazes.

They are keen to hear from anyone who may have any CCTV footage or dash cam footage from the area at the time of the fires, or anyone who has recently seen any suspicious behaviour in the vicinity.

The scene after the fire in Fort LaneThe scene after the fire in Fort Lane
The scene after the fire in Fort Lane
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One suspect is described by police as a white man, of slim build, wearing a grey and white hooded top, and grey and white tracksuit bottoms.

Two other suspects are described as wearing dark clothing, said Sussex Police.

A spokesperson for Sussex Police said, “Arson and deliberate fires are taken very seriously by the fire service, the police and the ambulance service, as they endanger lives and divert valuable resources.

“The emergency services work closely together, and with Crimestoppers, local authorities and neighbourhood watch schemes, to reduce the number of arsons and deliberate fires in our communities.”

Dan JessupDan Jessup
Dan Jessup
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Anyone with any information is asked to contact police online or by calling 101 quoting serial 130 of 11/07.

Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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