Video Shop Torched

Rentafilm, in Arundel Road, was set alight in the early hours of Thursday morning after burning material was pushed through the letterbox.

Littlehampton firefighters arrived just before 2am to tackle the blaze and an elderly woman living in the upstairs flat was taken to St Richard's Hospital, Chichester, to be treated for smoke inhalation. No one else was injured.

Proprietor Phil Hathway arrived at 3.30am after police contacted him. He was horrified to find his shop frontage badly damaged by fire.

"When I got here and the fire brigade told me what had happened, I just couldn't believe it."

Littlehampton fire station commander Trevor Worsfold condemned the attack as thoughtless and life-threatening.

"That lady's life was put at risk due to people throwing lit material through a letter box," he said.

Detective Constable Mick Burkinshaw, leading the investigation, echoed Mr Worsfold, saying it was fortunate the fire was caught in time.

"We were very concerned as there are people living above this shop. Had the fire not been stopped when it was, things could have been a lot more serious."

Fire shattered the glass door panels and the shop floor was littered with broken glass, water and soot.

Mr Hathway was determined not to let events get the better of him and it was business as usual on Thursday morning.

He was unable, though, to offer his photo processing service as the machine had been damaged by smoke.

He had no idea why anyone would want to torch his premises and was not looking forward to the clean-up.

"A forensic team has taken material away for testing and I cannot clean anything up just yet until further tests are carried out."

DC Burkinshaw said that in addition to the DNA and fingerprint testing, his team would be looking at CCTV footage to pinpoint possible witnesses and suspects.

He appealed for anyone with any information about the fire to contact him on 01243 843578.