A man has been arrested on suspicion of arson after a major fire damaged vehicles at a holiday parking site used by passengers travelling from Gatwick Airport.
Police and firefighters responded to the fire at Caldyne Business Park in Rowfant, West Sussex, shortly after 9pm on Saturday, 22 August.
West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service said it was alerted at 8.56pm and described the incident as a significant and complex fire involving a workshop, vehicles — including electric vehicles and heavy goods vehicles — and cylinders.
A number of vehicles caught up in the fire were parked at a site used for holiday parking. Authorities have advised affected customers to contact their parking operator directly.
The incident also affected electricity supplies in the surrounding area after an overhead power line had to be isolated. The electricity supply has since been restored, according to the fire service.
Firefighters remained at the scene on Monday morning, 24 August, damping down hotspots. The fire service said there were no casualties.
Sussex Police said a 67-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of arson. He has since been released on bail while enquiries continue.
A joint fire investigation involving West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service and Sussex Police is now under way. Police have asked anyone with information about the incident to contact them, quoting serial 1504 of 22/08.
The incident may be particularly concerning for holidaymakers who left vehicles at the affected site while travelling through Gatwick. Customers who believe their vehicle may have been parked there should contact their parking provider directly rather than travelling to the site.
For passengers looking to avoid airport parking altogether, DM Airport Transfers provides pre-booked airport transfers to and from Gatwick and other airports across the UK.
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Sources
Daily Record — Gatwick holiday parking fire and emergency-service statements
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