by Martin Jefferies

A teenager has been arrested after a huge fire caused an estimated £1 million of damage on a luxury housing estate in Thanet.

Around 20 firefighters were called to the blaze at Heronsbrook - a large development of two, three and four bedroom homes on Monkton Road, Minster - at around 9pm last Wednesday, September 16.

A spokesperson for Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) said up to four properties, all of which were under construction, were affected.

Kent Police conducted door-to-door enquiries and arrested a 15-year-old boy in Margate less than 24 hours later.

The youngster was being held in police custody on Friday morning on suspicion of criminal damage and arson.

Two crews from Ramsgate and one each from Margate, Thanet (Westwood) and Canterbury helped tackle last Wednesday’s blaze.

Firefighters were at the scene until 7.30am the following day and forensic investigations are ongoing.

Homes at Heronsbrook, a Persimmon Homes development, are currently on the market for up to £249,500.

Many are wooden-framed buildings, which the KFRS spokesperson said made tackling the inferno especially difficult.