Couple devastated after '˜arson' destroys St Leonards allotment

A couple have been left distraught after their treasured allotment in St Leonards was set on fire, destroying much of their pride and joy.
By The Newsroom
Published 3rd Aug 2016, 11:01 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 23:30 BST

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Irina Lazareva's allotment on Vale Road, St Leonards, was destroyed by a fire. Photo by Irina SUS-160208-164657001Irina Lazareva's allotment on Vale Road, St Leonards, was destroyed by a fire. Photo by Irina SUS-160208-164657001
Irina Lazareva's allotment on Vale Road, St Leonards, was destroyed by a fire. Photo by Irina SUS-160208-164657001

Irina Lazareva and Denadijs Mihalous, of Warrior Square, St Leonards, started renting the allotment on Vale Road in May and spent every day there.

But three greenhouses and the pair’s shed, with all the tools and equipment inside, were devastated in a fire at around 10pm on Sunday, July 24.

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Police believe it was arson but have hit a dead end, leaving the couple very upset with Denadijs unable to return because of the heartache.

Irina Lazareva's allotment on Vale Road, St Leonards, was destroyed by a fire. Photo by Irina SUS-160208-164710001Irina Lazareva's allotment on Vale Road, St Leonards, was destroyed by a fire. Photo by Irina SUS-160208-164710001
Irina Lazareva's allotment on Vale Road, St Leonards, was destroyed by a fire. Photo by Irina SUS-160208-164710001

“I have lost two sheds and all the tools its ridiculous, I still don’t know who did it,” Irina said.

“The police said there’s nothing to investigate as everything burnt to the ground.

“It’s ridiculous I have no idea about who would have done it.”

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Irina discovered the damage the following Monday morning and reported it to police hoping whoever did it would be brought to justice.

Irina Lazareva's allotment on Vale Road, St Leonards, was destroyed by a fire. Photo by Irina SUS-160208-164643001Irina Lazareva's allotment on Vale Road, St Leonards, was destroyed by a fire. Photo by Irina SUS-160208-164643001
Irina Lazareva's allotment on Vale Road, St Leonards, was destroyed by a fire. Photo by Irina SUS-160208-164643001

Officers are treating it as arson but there are no lines of enquiry as there are currently no witnesses, no CCTV covering the area and no reason to believe the buildings were deliberately targeted, a police spokesman said.

The 28-year-old housekeeper at the Conquest Hospital said her husband refuses to go back and she has been crying because of the damage done.

“It’s absolutely terrible, it’s quite a shame to lose everything,” she said.

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“I have been crying as it’s horrible and it was so kind of the allotment community to clear out all the rubbish which is quite helpful.

“My husband said he doesn’t want to go there anymore.”

Police would still like to hear from anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the area in the time leading up to the fire or has any information about it.

Email [email protected] or call 101 quoting serial 784 of 25/07.

Alternatively, call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

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Related topics:St LeonardsPoliceCCTVConquest Hospital