A blaze which destroyed a store in Canvey's shopping centre is being investigated by forensic experts.

Police believe young arsonists may have been responsible for the fire which ripped through Rosebys, a soft furnishings store in the Knightswick Centre.

Five fire crews from across south Essex went to the blaze at 6.45pm yesterday, but were unable to save the shop. Two fire crews from Canvey were first on the scene and firefighters in breathing gear entered the store to douse the flames.

A further three engines - two from Hadleigh and one from Rayleigh - were also called out as the dense smoke set off the main alarm in the precinct and triggered the automatic call-out system.

Canvey sub-officer Richard Norris said: "The fire affected all of the store's sales area and there was burning down both the walls. The store was severely damaged by smoke.

"The seat of the fire was by the front entrance, which we were able to put out and it was then a question of damping down."

Firefighters from Canvey had to spend two-and-a-half hours damping down the store.

Sub-officer Norris said: "The incident created a bit of a panic for the security staff, but the shopping centre itself remained free of smoke because of the precinct's automatic venting system."

He added: "The fire appears to have been started deliberately and is being treated as suspicious, the police will be investigating with fire officers."

Knightswick shopping centre boss, David Shakespear, said: "The shop is gutted and we will be getting insurance experts in to evaulate Roseby's loss.

"We will also check the shop's structure to make sure it is secure as there may be damage to the roof.

"It is going to be a while before Rosebys is open again and at the moment we have no idea how much it is going to cost to put the damage right."

Rosebys is a leading supplier of household soft furnishings including curtains, bedlinen, bathroom towels and many other home accessories.

The Knightswick Centre consists of 25 stores and a restaurant.

Published Thursday, May 1, 2003

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