Two teens arrested over post office arson

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TWO teenagers have been charged after a village post office was destroyed by a blaze police believe was started deliberately.

Three people suffered minor injuries after Orwell’s general store, in Town Green Road, was gutted by the fire that began in nearby wheelie bins at 6am on Saturday morning.

Six fire engines were deployed with crews to battle the flames but firefighters were unable to save the building after the inferno spread to the roof.

Witnesses reported a disabled man in a neighbouring house being lifted to safety.

A spokeswoman from Cambridgeshire Fire Service said: “By the time we got there the flames were up in the roof of the local post office.

“The whole of the shop has been gutted.

“Although the crews managed to prevent it from spreading to the neighbouring building, there is an adjoining house which suffered light damage to the roof and a detached house near it which suffered heat damage along the guttering.

“We think it started in wheelie bins which were next to the shop and then spread to the shop.

“Someone who lived in a nearby house was assisted to safety by fire crews and an ambulance was called but they did not have any injuries.”

A spokesman from Cambridgeshire police said a joint fire and police investigation had been launched.

He said: “The post office is described as being completely destroyed.

“The cause at the time is not yet known but is believed to be suspicious.

“A joint fire and police investigation is underway and a number of witnesses have already made contact with us and told us their account.

“We are appealing for witnesses to call us on the 0345 456 4564 and quote incident 110.”

Two boys aged 13 and 15 were arrested on Saturday and charged with three counts of arson and three counts of recklessly endangering life, two counts of criminal damage in relation to two vehicles.

The teens have been bailed to appear at Cambridge youth court on March 16.

Orwell resident, Ted Ridgeway Watt, 42, was out walking his dog when he saw the blaze.

He said: “A disabled man who lives nearby was rescued by firefighters after they arrived.

“It has completely destroyed the shop, which especially in a village like Orwell, is devastating. Everyone is in shock.”