Lowestoft: Arson probe after fire at former Jeld Wen site

Firefighters spent more than three hours tackling the blaze in an empty single storey building at a waterfront site that has been vacant for almost 13 years.

Now two weeks on from the blaze, and with the cause of the fire "believed to be deliberate", police are investigating the "suspected arson."

Police and six fire crews were called to the former Jeld Wen joinery factory on Waveney Drive in Lowestoft at 8.30pm on Tuesday, April 25.

With the blaze in a 40m by 40m derelict building, which formed part of the former Jeld Wen timber factory site.

Smoke was seen billowing in the sky after the fire at the former factory site on Waveney Drive in Lowestoft. Picture: Alison Harvey

As smoke billowed across the night sky, people were asked to keep their windows and doors closed and to avoid the area, as firefighters tackled the blaze at the former factory site - which was shut in June 2010.

Fire crews from Lowestoft South, North Lowestoft, Wrentham and Southwold - along with two crews and the area ladder platform from Great Yarmouth - responded, with the blaze under control by 11.42pm.

Crews remained at the scene until the early hours of the following morning with the building left charred and with smashed windows.

A Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "There were no reported casualties."

With an inspection "to determine the cause of the fire" carried out and police continuing to work with Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, the birgade spokesman added: "he cause of the fire is believed to be deliberate."

As this information has been subsequently passed onto the police, officers are said to be "investigating the suspected arson."

Witnesses or anybody with any information should contact Lowestoft Police on 101 quoting CAD reference 380 of April 25.