POLICE and fire inquiries were continuing this week in connection with a 'possible arson' in Lowestoft which caused thousands of pounds worth of damage and forced children at a nearby primary school to be moved.

POLICE and fire inquiries were continuing this week in connection with a 'possible arson' in Lowestoft which caused thousands of pounds worth of damage and forced children at a nearby primary school to be moved.

A young couple this week expressed their anger as a shed full of valuable equipment was gutted in the blaze, which happened in broad daylight on Tuesday.

The two 27-year-olds, who wish to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal following a worrying spate of other fires in the area, also had their car - which was parked next to the shed - damaged by the intense heat from the blaze and this is now this is likely to be a write-off.

Fortunately, there was no one in the house in central Lowestoft when the blaze occurred - but just an hour before the fire was believed to have been started, the mother had been in the shed to take her young son's pushchair out in preparation for playgroup.

Recalling her shock at the blaze, the mother said: 'On my return from playgroup, I found our shed had been set fire to.

'It was completely destroyed with the contents reduced to nothing. This was done in broad daylight. Our family, and others could have easily been at risk.'

She added that the nearby Poplars Primary School were believed to have telephoned the fire service, and some of the classes had to be moved to the other side of the school 'for fear of the car exploding'.

With other residents in the area also having had their wheelie bins set fire to, the couple were keen to warn others.

'We are concerned for our safety and that of others,' they said.

'We feel that everyone should be aware of this situation and be vigilant, reporting any suspicious behaviour immediately.'

Continuing to pick up the pieces from the damage, which is believed to have happened between 9.10am and 10.15am, the couple said that the shed and its contents - which were completely destroyed - contained wet suits, a new fish tank, pushbikes, lawnmower, strimmers and various other items.

'With our R registration car probably going to be a write-off, you're looking at around �3,000 worth of damage, if not more,' the couple admitted.

Yesterday, police press officer Anne-Marie Breach told The Journal the incident was being investigated as a 'possible arson' and officers were keen to trace some youths who had been spotted in the area.

'We were called by the fire service at just before 10.15am to reports of a shed at the back of a property, close to the Poplars grounds, which had been burnt out completely and a car had been damaged,' she said.

'A group of youths were seen in an alleyway near to the school at around 9.30am.

'They were older children, of around middle school or high school age, who were seen smoking and we would like to trace them.'

With investigations continuing, anyone with information about the blaze, or the youths, should telephone Lowestoft police on 01986 835300.