The Phoenix Centre on Mile Cross Road was badly damaged by the fire, after what is believed to be an arson attack. Photo: Steve Adams

Two teenagers arrested over Phoenix Centre arson

Tom Bristow Monday, December 17, 2012
12:35 PM

Two teenagers were arrested last night following an arson attack on a Mile Cross community centre.

The fire ripped through the Phoenix Centre just before 10pm on Saturday.

The blaze engulfed the roof of the central part of the former Baptist church, causing major damage to back rooms and serious water and smoke damage to a number of other areas.

It has left parts of the building potentially structurally unsafe.

The centre is run by registered charity the Phoenix Children’s Project and used by a range of community groups including youth clubs, slimming groups and churches, with the project itself running a number of services including community Christmas lunches, holiday clubs and a community café.

Police arrested two 15-year-old boys at 6pm yesterday and took them to Wymondham Police Investigation Centre for questioning.

One 15-year-old must answer bail his late this afternoon and the second boy must answer his bail on January 26.