British Red Cross shop in Norwich remains closed after fire

Emergency services were called to the British Red Cross shop in St Benedicts Street at 10.15pm on Sunday, February 25 after reports of a fire.

Police and fire crews attended and the blaze was extinguished, leading to a man being arrested on suspicion of arson and being taken to Wymondham Police Station for questioning.

Emergency services were called to St Benedicts Street on February 25 (Image: Newsquest)

Darren Ince, aged 57 and of no fixed address, was later charged with arson with intent to endanger life and arson, with recklessness as to whether life was endangered.

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He has since been remanded in custody until his appearance at Norwich Crown Court on March 26.

In the meantime, the charity has been left to pick up the pieces and has said the shop will be temporarily closed until further notice, with its doorway left boarded up.

However, heads of the charity are hoping to get back up and running soon after the fire ripped through the building.

Howard Bowles, head of retail in the south of England for British Red Cross, said: "We were saddened by the news of the fire at our shop in St Benedicts Street.

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"Thankfully, this occurred when the shop was closed and no one was reported injured.

Howard Bowles, head of British Red Cross' retail, said he was saddened to hear what happened to the shop (Image: Newsquest)

"We are working hard to get the necessary repair work done and reopen the shop as quickly as possible."

British Red Cross helps millions of people in crisis in the UK and around the world to get the support they need, including in Afghanistan, Palestine and Israel currently.

The charity has shops across the country including in Wymondham and Diss in Norfolk.