Arson investigation under way after fire at historic Hove seafront site

Fire and police investigators are trying to find out how a fire started in a historic building on Hove seafront – and who started it.

Firefighters from East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service tackled the blaze at Medina House in King’s Esplanade on Friday (31 May).

Detectives from Sussex Police began work with their counterparts from East Sussex Fire and Rescue late on Friday afternoon looking into the fire which is believed to have been started deliberately.

A sofa in a first floor room is believed to have been the seat of the fire.

The old Victorian public baths have long been in a state of disrepair, with enforcement action having been taken last year by Brighton and Hove City Council.

The property’s owner, Sirus Taghan, has submitted a number of planning applications to redevelop the site since he bought in the 1990s.

But planners have rejected most of his schemes as too tall and overbearing.

Fuller reports about the fire and planning issues relating to the site can be found here and here on the website of the campaign group Save Hove.