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Post office damaged after man sets counter alight

Katy Prickett
BBC News, Milton Keynes
Post Office A close up of the post office on Midsummer Boulevard, Milton Keynes. It shows one of the ground-length windows has been smashed and a blackened interior. Police tape is rapped along the front of the building. Post Office
The man made threats to staff before returning with a petrol can, pouring liquid on a counter and setting it alight, say police

A city centre post office has been damaged in a blaze caused by a man who poured liquid onto a counter and set it alight.

Emergency services were called to the shop at Midsummer Boulevard, Milton Keynes, at about 15:30 BST on Tuesday.

Thames Valley Police said the man made threats to staff before returning and starting the fire. Nobody was injured, a spokesperson said.

A 47-year-old man from London was arrested on suspicion of arson. Officers are appealing for witnesses.

Post Office A close up of the interior of the post office on Midsummer Boulevard, Milton Keynes. It shows a burnt counter, covered in ash and another behind it. Behind that is an array of smoke-blackened greeting cards on a wall. Post Office
A Post Office spokesperson said it is offering support to its staff and does not yet know when the branch can reopen

A police spokesperson said the suspect had "a petrol can and poured a liquid onto the counter before igniting it and leaving".

"The post office had a number of members of the public in the building at the time, but thankfully, nobody was injured," they added.

Eight fire crews tackled the blaze, which damaged the shop and resulted in smoke logging to stairwells and flats above, according to Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service.

A spokesperson said firefighters isolated the premise's electrics and "remained on scene to clear light smoke logging in common areas of flats".

A Post Office spokesperson said it is offering support to staff at its branch, which is temporarily closed.

"It is not yet known when the branch will re-open," they added.

"Alternative branches include Harrier Court, Coffee Hall, Shenley Church End, Netherfield and Bletchley."

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