A suspect has appeared in court following an arson attack on a community shop.
Emergency services were called to the grocery store, in The Wells Road, St Ann’s, Nottingham, at 3.54 am on Saturday (6 June).
The fire had spread from the front entrance of the shop to the flat above and a number of people had escaped onto the street.
Firefighters safely rescued residents from neighbouring properties and a number of other homes were also evacuated while the fire was brought under control.
A joint police and fire investigation found the cause of the fire to be arson.
Detectives carried out an investigation which identified a suspect and he was located and arrested.
A 13-year-old boy has now been charged with arson with intent to endanger life and arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered.
The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has also been charged with robbery and possession of a knife in public following an incident at a shop in Strelley Road, also on 6 June.
A shopkeeper was threatened with a knife before hundreds of pounds worth of items were stolen.
He has also been charged with one count of shop theft after items were stolen from a supermarket in Green Lane on 9 May.
The boy appeared at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (10 June) and will next appear at the same court on 22 June 2026.
Detective Sergeant Nigel Malik, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:
“Any arson attack is extremely reckless and this fire was lit in a shop adjoining a number of neighbouring homes.
“We know the incident caused concern in the neighbourhood, so I hope people welcome the emergency services’ response and these charges.
“Neighbourhood teams have increased patrols over recent days to offer further reassurance and to support the community.”
