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CCTV shows arsonist in torched nightclub (From The Argus)
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CCTV shows arsonist in torched nightclub
10:35am Friday 25th July 2008
Police have released dramatic CCTV footage of an arsonist surrounded by flames after torching a lap-dancing club.
The shocking CCTV still from Clubb Redd, which was burned to the ground on July 15 just three weeks after it opened, shows the man running from the flames after he torched the business.
More than 100 firefighters fought the blaze which destroyed the club in Burgess Hill.
Police said that whoever lit the fire – which started at about 2am – may have suffered smoke inhalation and possibly burns and that remains of a number of petrol cans had been recovered at the scene.
Det Insp Stu Hale said: “We are particularly keen to hear from petrol station operatives who may remember selling full or empty green or red fuel canisters.”
Club owner Leo Valls, whose club had a booth where clients can be tied down while given a private lap dance, said he believed the fire had been started deliberately.
He said: “We only opened on June 20 and we were doing really well.
“We were making about £7,000 to £9,000 a night.”
He said that he had 25 girls working at the club, which was open from Tuesday until Saturday, and he believes the fire was started by someone who broke into the club in the Martlets shopping centre.
He said: “We all knew it was torched deliberately.
They’ve got the CCTV now and it’s just a matter of time before they arrest someone.”
Commenting on the extent of the fire he said: “There is nothing left of the club. It is completely gone.”
Mr Valls has pledged to have the club – which charges £5 entry before 10pm and £20 after 11pm – up and running again in three months.
He said: “We’ll be bigger and better than before.”
“Redd is a lap-dancing bar, a place where you can come in and have fun while in the company of extremely beautiful women who are happy to be completely naked.”
The average spend per night of customers was about £150 and business had been booming before the blaze.
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The Burgess Hill club is filled with flames and police say the fire-raiser may have suffered burns and smoke inhalation
The blaze at its height. But the owner says the club will reopen in three months
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