Hove arson suspect captured on camera

A man suspected of starting a fire in Hove was captured on camera.

He was filmed shortly before the fire was started at the back of a disused building in Portland Road, Hove, in the early hours of Saturday 25 May.

His picture has been released by Sussex Police. Detectives want to interview him.

Firefighters reached the blaze at about 1.30am and quickly put it out.

They believe that the fire was deliberately started. It caused minimal damage to a wall and no one was hurt.

Detectives have obtained close circuit television (CCTV) camera footage from the nearby Texaco Garage, in Kingsway, Hove, taken at 12.55am on Saturday 25 May.

A man parked in a road near by, came in and first asked for lighter fluid but then bought a petrol can and filled it up.

Shortly afterwards East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service received a 999 call about the fire at the premises in Portland Road near the junction with St Helier Avenue.

The site includes a number of garages and bins.

The suspect was described as white, about 30 years old, 5ft 9in tall, with dark brown medium length hair and stubble.

He was wearing a green jacket, blue jeans, a blue and white large checked shirt and a dark grey baseball cap. There is no description of the car that he was driving.

Detective Constable Paul Clements said: “The motive for this incident is not clear but if, as we believe, a full can of petrol was involved, then there was obvious potential for the fire to have been much more serious.”

Anyone who recognises the man or who saw saw anything suspicious is asked to call Sussex Police on 1indie the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.