The fire broke out immediately next to Tottenham Hotspur’s stadium on Tuesday morning
A fire that devastated the sole remaining property blocking Tottenham Hotspur’s stadium expansion has been described by police as “suspicious”.
The blaze gutted the offices of Archway Sheet Metal Works on Paxton Road, which is only a few metres away from the White Hart Lane ground, early on Tuesday morning.
The business is on the last piece of land needed by Spurs before they can redevelop the new stadium, but the club has failed to reach a deal to buy it.
Earlier this year Archway and its owners, the Josif family, challenged a compulsory purchase order issued by the government. The resulting High Court case will mean a new delay in the start of the project.
“An investigation has been launched into the cause of the fire,” police said in a statement.
VERY BAD DAMAGE
“At this early stage the fire is being treated as suspicious. No arrests have been made.”
London Fire Brigade said six fire engines and 35 firefighters and officers worked to bring the fire under control and there were no reports of any injuries.
An Archway member of staff told the Press Association that the fire had resulted in “very bad” damage: “The top floor and offices are all gone and 50% of the bottom floor was on fire. We don’t know anything at the moment. We haven’t been allowed to go in and have a look so we are just waiting to see what happens.”
HIGH COURT CHALLENGE
Tottenham Hotspur’s new 56,000-plus capacity stadium next to the existing ground was set for a 2017 opening, but Archway’s legal challenge has caused a change of plans.
The club is considering moving to a temporary home for a season during the construction period.
The company has previously claimed it has received threats and abusive calls from Tottenham fans.