Incident commander of Newark town centre fire issues statement after arson attack on old piano school

The incident commander of the fire at the old piano school in Newark has issued a statement from the scene.

Newark white watch manager Carey Thomas said the blaze was obviously deliberate and that whoever started it wasn't to know there no one was inside.

The fire has now been extinguished but crews are still monitoring it.

"It was a derelict building well alight when we attended," he said.

"We fought the fire from both sides. We had to evacuate neighbouring properties.

"We've been unable to make major entry into the building because of the state of the floors, which may have been a result of the fire or could have been an existing issue because the building is derelict — possibly both.

"We're absolutely sure that there was no one inside.

"It's obviously deliberate. There's nothing in there to ignite otherwise.

"It could have been different. Derelict buildings provide shelter for homeless people. Whoever started it wasn't to know it was empty.

"They put lives at risk not just anyone who may have been inside, but also homeless and our firefighters.

"We had four crews tonight. The fire is out and we're now hotspotting to make sure there is no reignition."

Newark CID are still at the scene.

Some of those evacuated reported seeing a group of girls breaking into the building, which was, and may still be, owned by Lincoln College Group as part of Newark College.

More as we have it.