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Two boys come forward to police over library blaze

Samantha JaggerNorth East and Cumbria
Supplied A huge orange inferno lights up a building in Billingham. In the foreground are two traffic lights a road sign and some trees.. Supplied
Billingham's old library was alight on Tuesday evening

Two 12-year-old boys have come forward to police after a fi redestroyed a former library.

Billingham's old Roseberry Library, at the back of Billingham Health Centre on Queensway, was spotted burning at about 18:20 BST on Tuesday.

The blaze caused significant damage to the building and disruption to nearby shops, businesses and residents with several road closures in place as fire crews battled the flames.

Cleveland Police said the two boys came forward voluntarily on Thursday and have been interviewed by detectives. A 14-year-old boy who was arrested on suspicion of arson on Wednesday has been bailed while investigations continue.

A close-up of a section of the former Billingham library building, which has been gutted by fire. The building has no roof. The side of the building facing the camera would have had a metal structure or cladding, but it is charred by the fire and partly destroyed. One section is missing, meaning it is possible to see inside the library. There are charred beams and a first floor railing with burnt debris all over the floor.
The blaze gutted the old library building

Det Insp James Barnes said residents had "greatly supported the investigation by providing key information".

He said detectives had spoken to the boys and were considering their next steps.

A red and white fire and rescue service tape cordons off the area around the former Billingham library building. A sign for the library is still on the red-brick wall of the building, next to a window or door that is black with fire damage and partly damaged. Further along the wall, there is firther damage to what would have been a metal gate. There is charred debris on the floor.
A cordon remains in place around the building while the area is made safe

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