Herne Bay train station fire sparks arrest of 12-year-old boy
Published: 15:00, 19 April 2016
A 12-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage following a fire at Herne Bay train station.
Firefighters, police and an incident response unit were called to the site on Friday evening after smoke was spotted pouring from a duct in the women’s toilets.
A fire service spokesman said a toilet roll on the wall of the lavatories had been set alight, sparking the blaze.
British Transport Police spokesman John Ellul said: “We were called to Herne Bay rail station in Kent at 7.40pm on Friday, April 15 following a report of a fire in a toilet on the station platform.
“BTP officers attended with colleagues from Kent Fire and Rescue and South East Coast Ambulance Service.
“A member of staff was treated by paramedics at the station for smoke inhalation as a result of the fire, but was not injured.
“A 12-year-old boy from the local area was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. He has been interviewed and released on bail until Saturday, May 14.”
The site was evacuated just after 7pm, and police taped off a section of the building.
Two fire engines attended the scene, with crews using breathing apparatus and a fan to clear the toilet.
Anyone with information is asked to call British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 or text 61016 quoting reference 547 of 15/4/16.
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KentOnline reporter