Bexhill law firm suffers arson attack

Two Bexhill teams under Sub Officer John Owen repeatedly plunged into the inferno in Wellington Square.

Fire broke out in Gaby Hardwicke's offices shortly after 7am on Good Friday. At its peak, 90 firefighters were engaged in the struggle to stop the flames from spreading to adjoining properties as swept through the Victorian building.

Ten fire appliances were involved, including a turntable ladder from Hastings, an aerial ladder platform from Eastbourne and a control unit from Lewes.

The fire was brought under control at about 10.15. Police confirmed this week an arson investigation is under way.

The Observer understands that fire service investigators found evidence that an accelerant (a flammable liquid) had been poured through the ground floor letter box of the building and ignited.

Sub Officer Owen said : "Conditions inside were very difficult. It was very hot. The building was smoke-logged. Visibility was very poor in places. We must have used as least 10 sets of breathing apparatus if not more.

"Many of the walls were old-style lath-and-plaster and the fire was breaking through them and spreading.

"Some stairways had burnt through as well as some of the floor so it was dangerous work."

Managing partner Peter Taylor this week praised the emergency services and thanked the many people who had come to the aid of the practice.

In a letter to the Observer from Gaby Hardwicke's Bexhill office, he said: "I would like to take the opportunity, through your columns, to thank all those who have helped us following the fire at our Hastings office in the early hours of Good Friday morning.

"Of course, our thanks go firstly to the emergency services who all did such a sterling job and with such concern for our plight.

"Both on the day and subsequently, however, we have been greatly moved by the help which has been offered and given to us by our professional and business colleagues in the locality and, indeed, from many of our clients.

"They rushed to help us in our hour of need with premises, equipment and transport, and even risked their own safety to join us on Easter Sunday morning to recover the client files and deeds from the offices destroyed by fire and to transport them to safety.

"I shall not embarrass them by naming them but they know who they are and I extend to them the heartfelt gratitude of all the partners and the staff of Gaby Hardwicke.

"It was as a result of their enormous help over the weekend that we were up and running with a nearly normal service first thing on Tuesday morning."