STORY
A man has been charged with arson after around ten fires were reported in London Fields in Hackney. Metropolitan Police officers and the London Fire Brigade were called at 5.07am on Saturday 15 August following several reports of a man starting fires near Lansdowne Drive. Firefighters extinguished the fires and no injuries were reported.
Police arrested a man in his 50s on suspicion of arson, setting fires and possession of a Class A drug. Later the same day, Isaac Shozi, 50, of Bodney Road in Hackney, was charged with arson. He was remanded in custody and is due to appear at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court at 10am on Monday 17 August.
Detective Superintendent Liz Cumber, who leads policing in central east London, said even small fires could spread quickly, particularly following the recent hot weather and heightened wildfire risk. Police said they were working closely with the London Fire Brigade and urged anyone who witnesses a fire or behaviour that could create a fire risk to call 999 immediately.