Week Street blaze and car fires not linked, say police
emcconnell@thekmgroup.co.uk Police have confirmed investigations into five suspicious car fires that happened less than an hour before Maidstone town centre’s devastating Week Street arson have been put on hold.
The vehicles were torched at around 1.15am on June 8, on Buckland Hill, just 45 minutes before The Works bookshop and surrounding stores went up in flames.
This week police confirmed the case has been filed, meaning no further investigations will take place unless new evidence comes to light.
Suggestions the fires had been started to distract crews from the larger blaze were also quashed, with police confirming there is nothing to link the offences.
Almost three months on from the incident, the future of the historic part of the town centre remains unclear.
The arson, tackled by 90 firefighters at its height, caused in excess of £5 million damage and left much of the pedestrianised route inaccessible for several days. As well as The Works, Cornish Kitchen, Boots Opticians, Thomson and Hotter were also severely affected by the blaze and remain closed.
When approached this week, none of the stores could provide a schedule for construction, although Maidstone Borough Council confirmed work is underway at The Works and Hotter.
Five days after June’s blaze Adam Stajer was arrested and charged with arson.
The 21-year-old, of Lower Stone Street but originally from Slovakia, was refused bail at his last court appearance earlier this month having previously denied arson with intent to endanger life and an alternative charge of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered.
Stajer, who has lived in the UK for two years, will next appear on Friday, September 25. An application to change solicitors was refused by Judge Julian Smith at a brief hearing this week.A trial date has been set for Monday, November 30.
Police are still appealing for any information about all the incidents. Officers are keen to speak to anyone who may have been in Week Street between midnight and 2am.
Call 01622 604100 or email west. division.media.appeals@kent. pnn.police.uk