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Week Street arson one year on: Blaze which caused £5million of damage in Maidstone remains unsolved

One year ago today Maidstone town centre was hit by a devastating fire which tore through five shops, causing £5million of damage.

Police continue to investigate the blaze in Week Street, which is thought to have been started deliberately and resulted in one man being remanded in custody for six months before being acquitted of arson.

Adam Stajer, of Upper Stone Street, was arrested less than a week after the fire broke out at The Works book shop.

Scene of the fire in Week Street, Maidstone
Scene of the fire in Week Street, Maidstone

The 21-year-old, who was spotted passing the store at the time it is thought the fire started, insisted he was innocent and after new evidence came to light in December he walked free from court.

In September police revealed five deliberate car fires on Buckland Hill in the minutes before the Week Street arson are not being linked to the case.

Shoe shop Hotter will be the first to reopen, when they open their doors to customers next Thursday, while Cornish Kitchen will not return and Boots opticians and Thomson travel agent relocated to other branches in the town.

A planning application to rebuild The Works, which had to be pulled down due to the extent of the damage, has been submitted to Maidstone Borough Council. A decision is due in the coming weeks but it is not yet known who will move into the unit.

Anyone with information is asked to call Kent Police on 01622 604100.

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