Firefighters restrained four teenagers who started a bonfire in a derelict warehouse and handed them over to the police.
Southend's station commander Martyn Hodder said the youths had acted irresponsibly and were lucky to be alive after the fire burnt out of control in the old Texas superstore behind Sainsbury's at Rayleigh Weir on Friday night.
Three fire engines attended the blaze after heavy smoke was seen pouring from the roof.
Sgt Graham Bowers of Rayleigh police said: "Four young men are helping us with our inquiries.
"They have all been interviewed and bailed pending further inquiries."
For more on this story see Monday's Evening Echo
Published Sunday, February 23, 2003
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