Stone suffers double arson attack overnight

Staffordshire Police are investigating whether two deliberately started fires overnight in Stone are linked.

Staffordshire firefighters were called to the old fire station at the Crown Street and Newcastle Road junction at 6.55 pm last night (29th January).

The old fire station is part of the new Crown Wharf development that the Joule’s brewery began in 2019. The building is planned to become a new heritage centre for the town, should Stone Town Council chose to take it on once the shell is complete.

A fire service spokesman said:

“The fire had been started in a building which was under construction on the site and Staffordshire Police were alerted due to the suspicious circumstances.

“The fire had been extinguished by 7.50pm and crews stayed to assist the police with their investigation.

“Fire investigators deemed the cause to have been deliberate by 8.15pm and the building was left in the care of its owner.”

Joule’s via their Crown Wharf Facebook page issued the following update.

“Many of you are aware that we had a fire last night (Friday 29th January) at Crown Wharf. Thankyou for the very many concerned messages we have had.

The Old Fire Station on Crown Street was broken into and a fire deliberately set inside, adjacent to the passageway, at around 7pm. A second fire was also started in the small office on the first floor. This second fire caused very little damage but the first one burnt out a new oak window and damaged some items being stored, the internal roof cladding was also damaged but the fire did not reach the structure. In all we would estimate around ten thousand pounds of damage. Luckily the building is still at it’s shell stage whilst Stone Town Council make a final determination if to proceed with a fit out as a heritage, tourist information centre and cafe. The small silver lining is that both the Taphouse and Theatre were untouched but checked and secured all the same.

We would like to thank whoever raised the alarm and called the fire brigade so promptly, whoever your are, your speed meant that the building was saved and damage limited. We cannot thank you enough. With lockdown this was a small piece of luck to balance our sadness that someone would choose to do this, though they do not diminish our determination.

We would also thank the police and fire brigade, our services are just the best and always there when we need them most. Their courtesy, solidarity and concern for us was moving. Their expertise meant a much more serious incident was avoided. We are looking forward to being able to stand with these guys for a pint after work, we hope sometime soon.

If anyone has any information please contact Staffordshire Police. As we are in the town centre they have good CCTV coverage and are hopeful that they can find the culprits and ensure that there will be no other incidents.”

The second deliberate fire was set at The Clubb House in Granville Terrace in the early hours of the morning.

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The Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman issued the following statement:

“We were called to a well-developed fire on the ground floor of the substantial detached property.

“A search of the building was conducted after entry was gained at the front and at the back. The fire was extinguished by 4.30am. By 5.30am, fire investigators had declared this blaze had also been started deliberately.”

 

Following the two arson attacks, Staffordshire Police are appealing for witnesses as they investigate both criminal acts. Forensic teams have visited both sites and now the police are looking for the public to come forward to assist with the investigation.

A Staffordshire Police spokesman released the following information:

“We were called to two separate incidents of arson in Stone last night and today.

“We were called at about 7.30pm yesterday by Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service as they believed a blaze at the old fire station had been started deliberately.

“A rear door had been forced open and wood set alight. The property was left to be secured by the owner.

“Then this morning, we were requested to join Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service at a vacant private property – The Clubb House, on Granville Terrace – at about 4am.

“A rear patio door was open when the fire service had arrived and the property had been well alight. The owners were made aware.

“Enquiries continue into the two incidents and investigations are being carried out to see if they are linked.”

Anyone with any information about either fire is asked to contact Staffordshire Police.