[20
APR 00] APOLLO CINEMA NEWS
Cinema Blaze Witness Appeal
Detectives are
appealing for anyone who was in a Leamington cinema before a fire broke out to come
forward as they might have vital information.
They are calling on
people watching films in the Apollo cinema in Portland Place to contact them as they might
be able to help them with their enquiries.
A fire caught hold of
the building shortly before 4pm on Monday. Staff quickly evacuated more than 150
cinema-goers, and no-one was injured.
Damage to the cinema
is estimated at around £250,000 and the building will be closed for weeks while repairs
to the auditoria and roof are carried out.
Det Insp George
Stepney, who is leading the investigation, said the fire was started deliberately in the
bar area of the cinema.
He said a large
cardboard cut-out was set alight and the flames quickly spread.
A 17-year-old girl has
been arrested in connection with the fire, but has been released on bail.
Det Insp Stepney
appealed for anyone who was in the building at the time to come forward, even if they do
not think they have anything to tell police.
He said:
“We are
particularly appealing for adults sitting at the back of the auditorium to come forward.
They might be able to tell us if anyone left before the fire started, or if anyone
didn’t leave.
“Both positive or
negative information like that will be useful to us.”
He said he was sure
that the person responsible for the fire had been in the cinema for a legitimate reason
before starting the blaze.
He added:
“This importance
of this investigation is this incident could have resulted in a tragic outcome
“The fact that it
didn’t is credit to the cinema staff. That ought to be a lesson to other big
companies in the area.”
Anyone with any
information can call police on 01926 415748 or 01926 415000.
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