Arson Attack On North Yorkshire Restaurant

21 January 2015, 16:45 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Detectives say a fire at a North Yorkshire restaurant was started deliberately.

Police are appealing for information following an arson attack at Helmsley Spice restaurant on Bridge Street in Helmsley.

Officers were called at 2.45am in the early hours of Wednesday morning by North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.

The suspects threw six bottles containing accelerant and stuffed with rags at the restaurant.

Two landed inside and caught fire, two were found outside the restaurant but did not ignite and another two were found on the road near the property, these had ignited.

There was minimal damage caused to the inside of the inside of the restaurant.

The incident follows a similar attack at the restaurant on 3 December 2014 when a rag and accelerant was pushed through the letter box and ignited.

Police are appealing to witnesses and to anyone with any information that could assist the investigation.

Detective Sergeant Ken Proctor of Scarborough and Ryedale CID, said:
"This is a very worrying attack on a rural business premises which has also caused alarm in the local community."

"Thankfully, the noise woke the occupants of the building who escaped uninjured."

"We are carrying out extensive enquiries to track down the suspects and are appealing to anyone with any information to contact us."

"The suspects would have made a noise as they carried out their attack and I am urging anyone who heard or saw any suspicious activity before or after the incident get in touch."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Scarborough CID.