A 50-year-old man has been charged with arson after around 10 small fires broke out in East London in the early hours of the morning. At 5.07am on Saturday, August 15, emergency services were called out to multiple reports of fires being started deliberately in London Fields, near Lansdowne Drive, Hackney.
Arrest and Charges
Officers from the Met Police came to the scene and arrested a man on suspicion of arson, setting fires and possession of a Class A drug. There were no reported injuries and London Fire Brigade quickly put out the fires, all within London Fields.
Later that day, Isaac Shozi, 50, of Bodney Road, Hackney, was charged with arson. Shozi has been remanded in custody to appear at Barkingside Magistrates' Court on Monday, August 17, at 10am.
Police Warning on Fire Risks
Detective Superintendent Liz Cumber, who leads policing in central east London, said: “No one can be in any doubt about the dangers of starting fires, particularly following the recent hot weather and heightened risk of wildfires. Even small fires can spread quickly and put people, buildings and open spaces at risk.
“We take all reports of this nature extremely seriously and work closely with partners, including the London Fire Brigade. We will investigate all incidents, identify those responsible and ensure appropriate action is taken against those who are reported to have endangered the public.”
Public Advice
Anyone who spots a fire or activity that may risk causing a fire is advised to call 999. The incident occurred during a period of hot weather that has left London Fields park in the Hackney district almost completely dried out after the hottest summer on record, increasing the risk of wildfires.
