Police in Chichester believe they may be on the lookout for a suspected serial arsonist following a fire at a former convent.
Although not yet confirmed as arson, police fear it could be part of a number of deliberate fires around the city in the past few months.
The chapel at the former Carmelite Convent, in Selsey Road, caught fire at 8pm on Sunday (June 28). At the he
ight of the blaze, up to 100 firefighters were on the scene.
Detective Inspector Jim McKnight, from Chichester CID, said: "At this time there is no other real explanation other than arson, and we are not ruling out the possibility this fire is linked to a series of others which have taken place in and around the Chichester city-centre area during the past few weeks.
"These fires have included bins, skips, empty buildings and vehicles. Had the fire service not acted so quickly, the fire and damage caused would have been a lot worse.
"We would like to hear from any member of the public who saw anything suspicious in the area of the convent on Sunday afternoon and evening, no matter how insignificant they think it might be.
"In addition we would like to hear from anyone who has information relating to the recent spate of fires in the city-centre area."
The fire service was on the scene within two minutes after dealing with a car which had been deliberately set on fire to the south of the Hunters Lodge Stables, in Hunston, at 7.34pm.
No-one was hurt in the convent blaze as the buildings have been unoccupied for around a year, although one firefighter was treated for possible heat exhaustion.
To encourage anyone with information to come forward, a £500 reward is being offered to anyone who can provide information which leads to an arrest and conviction in connection with the fires.
Anyone who can help is asked to contact police on 0845 60 70 999.
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