A 36-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life after a fire ripped through a row of three shops on Ladypool Road in Birmingham. The blaze, which broke out at around 2.45am on Tuesday, July 14, engulfed Chickaros and two neighbouring premises, causing extensive damage.
Fire Spread from Outdoor Seating Area
West Midlands Fire Service crews tackled the fierce blaze, which is believed to have started in the front outdoor seating area of one shop before spreading to the adjacent properties. Fourteen residents living in flats above the shops self-evacuated before firefighters arrived, and no injuries were reported.
Police Investigation and Arrest
West Midlands Police confirmed the arrest of a 36-year-old man on suspicion of arson endangering life. He remains in police custody as enquiries continue. A police spokesperson said: "A man's been arrested following a fire at a building on Ladypool Road in the early hours of 14 July. Thankfully, no-one was hurt, but we believe the fire was started deliberately and we are working with fire service colleagues to investigate."
Appeal for Information
Police are urging anyone with information to contact them via 101 or Live Chat on their website, quoting log 413 of 14 July. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to determine the full circumstances of the incident.
