A suspected arson attack destroyed a business owner’s lorry in Dartford, Kent, causing £25,000 in damages.
The fire occurred at around 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 18, 2025.
Matt Fireman, 41, who owns Nice Price discount shop, lost new stock stored in the HGV, nicknamed the ‘Del Boy’ lorry, which was parked behind The Orchards Shopping Centre.
Firefighters extinguished the flames, but the vehicle and its contents were completely gutted.
Kent Police arrested a 39-year-old man, who was later bailed as investigations continue.
The multi-storey car park remains closed, while Mr Fireman, touched by customer and supplier support, hopes to recover from the loss.
The fire occurred at around 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 18, 2025.
Matt Fireman, 41, who owns Nice Price discount shop, lost new stock stored in the HGV, nicknamed the ‘Del Boy’ lorry, which was parked behind The Orchards Shopping Centre.
Firefighters extinguished the flames, but the vehicle and its contents were completely gutted.
Kent Police arrested a 39-year-old man, who was later bailed as investigations continue.
The multi-storey car park remains closed, while Mr Fireman, touched by customer and supplier support, hopes to recover from the loss.
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FunTranscript
00:00On Saturday night I'd left the shop, gone home, then I got a phone call from the security at the shopping centre
00:05to say basically, look Matt, your lorry's on fire.
00:08So then I drove straight down and obviously when I arrived there was fire engines, police and the whole lorry was on fire.
00:14As soon as the security said down the phone, your lorry's on fire, just the worst thoughts go through your mind
00:18because obviously I knew what was on the lorry regarding all the stock which comes to a lot of money
00:22so I got here as quick as I can and then obviously seen the worst.
00:25Obviously what you can see, we've lost the whole lorry.
00:27The lorry's insured thankfully but everything inside the lorry wasn't insured
00:31so we've lost obviously all the stock for the shop, all the contents, all the extra stuff that we need to go into the shop.
00:36So yeah, all the stock basically has been lost now.
00:39Nothing like this has ever happened before.
00:41We've been here so many years, literally had no trouble at all.
00:44This is like the first bit of trouble that we've had here.
00:46It's actually been really, really nice for all the supporters to come
00:49because we've been in Dartford for 17 years with a shop nice price
00:52so to get all the phone calls, all the messages, all the lovely customers coming into the shop, that's been really nice
00:57and then all the suppliers who I buy the stuff from, they've all reached out to say you've got a McJourney stock.
01:02It's been really nice, yeah. Loads of support.