Canterbury fire: Girl 12, arrested after blaze rips through abandoned Debenhams department store

A 12-year-old girl has been arrested in connection with a major fire that devastated a former Debenhams store in Canterbury.

The arrest, made on Wednesday evening, marks the third person to be detained by Kent Police following the blaze that engulfed the derelict department store on Monday night.

The young girl has been released on bail whilst police continue their investigation into the incident.

The fire prompted a massive emergency response in Canterbury city centre, with dozens of firefighters battling to bring the flames under control at the abandoned retail site.

At the height of the incident, eight fire engines and two additional vehicles were deployed to the scene, with approximately 50 firefighters working to tackle the blaze.

Local authorities were forced to close roads in the vicinity of the former department store.

Several residents from nearby properties were evacuated as firefighters worked to bring the flames under control.

The scale of the emergency response highlighted the severity of the fire at the derelict building, which once housed one of Canterbury’s major retail outlets.

Prior to the girl’s arrest, two 15-year-old boys had been detained in connection with the incident.

The first teenager, arrested on Tuesday, has been released on bail as enquiries continue.

A second 15-year-old from Ashford was arrested on Wednesday but has since been released without charge.

The arrests came as part of Kent Police’s ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire at the former department store.

Kent Police are continuing their appeal for witnesses to come forward regarding the incident.

Investigators have expressed gratitude to those who have already provided information about the fire.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is urged to contact Kent Police on 01843 222289, quoting reference 03-0160.