McDonald's employee extinguishes blaze after Worthing rough sleeper's bedding 'set fire to'

A staff member at McDonalds in Worthing sprang into action when he saw a fire at a nearby store in the early hours of this morning.
Damage at the Laura Ashley storeDamage at the Laura Ashley store
Damage at the Laura Ashley store

The fire spread to the Laura Ashley store, which is closed today due to the damage.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It is believed the fire was started intentionally, the fire service said.

The burnt belongingsThe burnt belongings
The burnt belongings

Crew member Dan Brooks was working a shift at McDonalds when he looked outside and saw the Laura Ashley shop on fire.

He said the fire looked 'quite bad' and he went out with a fire extinguisher to put out the flames.

"It looked quite bad," he said. "There was a bit of damage.

"The homeless man lost all of his stuff."

Damage to the storeDamage to the store
Damage to the store
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Today, Graham Sawyer, who has been sleeping rough outside the Laura Ashley store for some time, told the Herald he had been busking round the corner when he was alerted to the fire.

His guitar, which he is often seen playing in the town centre, was undamaged, as was some of his bedding, and he said he had been donated some new quilts since the fire.

The area has been cordoned off by police.

Fire crews used four breathing apparatus and one hose reel at the site this morning, before leaving the scene at 2.02am.

A note on the store's windowA note on the store's window
A note on the store's window

Julie Pellegrino, assistant manager at Laura Ashley said staff were alerted at 2am.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

She said the fire had left part of the store 'smelly and mucky' and said: "There is quite a bit of water damage and one of our room sets has been burnt."

She said the window was shattered and one of the sofas had caught fire.

"We will not be opening today or tomorrow, we will have to see about Monday," she said.

"We hope to be open in some form on Monday."

Related topics: