Bognor Regis fire: Man charged with arson, burglary, criminal damage and two counts of assaulting an emergency worker

Emergency fire crews rushed to reports of a fire at The Steyne at around 8am on Saturday morning (March 2).

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service (WSFRS) said four fire engines – two from Bognor Regis, one from Chichester, and one from Littlehampton – were mobilised.

WSFRS said the fire was extinguished using two safety jets, two high-pressure hose reels, and one covering jet. Two cats were also rescued from the blaze, WSFRS added.

Firefighters remained on scene to ventilate the property and dampen down to ensure there was no further fire spread before departing at around 10am.

Following the incident, Sussex Police said Bognor man Gavin Anderson, 43, of The Steyne, had been remanded in custody.

A Sussex Police spokesperson said: “On 2 March, emergency services were called to a block of flats in The Steyne, Bognor Regis, to a report of a man having broken into a flat and causing a disturbance inside.

“On attendance, a fire was discovered in a neighbouring flat, which was worked on by the fire service.

“Forty-three-year-old Gavin Anderson, of The Steyne, Bognor Regis, was arrested and has now been charged with false imprisonment, arson with intent to endanger life, burglary, criminal damage and two counts of assaulting an emergency worker.”

“He has been remanded in custody to appear before Crawley Magistrates’ Court on Monday (4 March).”

A spokesperson for West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service said: “At 7.25am on Saturday 2 March we were called to a fire involving a property at The Steyne, Bognor Regis.

“Joint Fire Control mobilised four fire engines – two from Bognor Regis, one from Chichester, and one from Littlehampton, to the scene.

“Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the fire using two safety jets, two high-pressure hose reels, and one covering jet. Two cats were rescued from the property.

“Firefighters remained on scene to ventilate the property and dampen down to ensure there was no further fire spread.

“Waterloo Square and Manor Place were both closed to traffic to allow firefighters to work safely.”