- Incident: Arson investigation following a major blaze that destroyed 140 vehicles.
- Where/When: Caldyne Business Park, Rowfant; Saturday evening, 24 August 2024.
Sussex Police Confirm Second Arrest in Rowfant Arson Inquiry
Detectives investigating a major fire at a business park in Rowfant have confirmed a second arrest after the blaze destroyed vehicles used for holiday parking. A 29-year-old man was detained on suspicion of arson on Monday, 26 August, following a police investigation into the weekend’s events.
The arrest follows the initial detention of a 67-year-old man on Saturday, 24 August, the same evening the fire broke out at the Caldyne Business Park. According to Sussex Police, both individuals have since been released on conditional bail while further enquiries are carried out. The incident has been treated as a deliberate act since the early stages of the emergency response.
Infrastructure Damage and Local Power Outages
The scale of the destruction at the Rowfant site is substantial. Authorities confirmed that approximately 140 vehicles were damaged or entirely destroyed in the blaze. The fire did not only affect private property; it also caused disruption to local infrastructure, with high-voltage electrical equipment damaged by the heat, resulting in power outages for more than 2,000 homes and businesses in the surrounding area.
The BBC reported that the site was utilised by independent holiday parking operators catering to passengers using the nearby international airport. However, officials clarified that the facility was not affiliated with Gatwick Airport itself. This incident follows a pattern of environmental concerns in the region, similar to how fires and low rivers impacted Sussex ecosystems during recent dry spells.
Emergency Services Tackle ‘Complex’ Blaze
West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service described the operation as “complex,” involving workshops and the presence of gas cylinders which posed additional risks to crews. At the height of the incident, eight fire engines and two water carriers were deployed to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading further into the business park.
Despite the severity of the fire and the significant property damage, authorities confirmed there were no injuries or casualties. The Rowfant area, situated near Crawley Down Gatwick, remained under police and fire service presence for several days as forensic teams examined the wreckage.
A second man arrested after the car park fire near Gatwick Airport marks a step forward in the criminal investigation. Police continue to appeal for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage from the Rowfant area on the evening of 24 August to come forward as they piece together the circumstances leading to the fire.