Fire officer's 'heart sank' after hearing about devastating Chichester arson

The chief fire officer for West Sussex Fire and Rescue service said her heart sank when she heard about an arson attack on homeless people.

By Joe Stack

Published 7th Jan 2020, 11:33 BST

Updated 7th Jan 2020, 11:35 BST

Chief fire officer, Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, who was homeless herself, called the incident 'absolutely devastating'.

Read the original story here: 'Dark side of Chichester' appears as homeless person's belongings torchedShe said: “To lose your possessions to fire is an absolutely devastating thing to happen, regardless of who you are or where you are in your life.

“When I heard of this incident attended by one of our Chichester crews, my heart sank.

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“Our fire investigation officers will be working closely with Sussex Police to investigate the cause of this fire.

A spokesperson for West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were called to reports of a fire in an underpass at Oaklands Way in Chichester on Friday 3 January at 7.53pm.

“The fire is believed to be of deliberate ignition and Sussex Police have been informed.”