Estate agents hit by arson attack reopen

The agents whose office was wrecked by fire in a suspected arson attack in February, have now moved back into premises opposite their old branch.

The previous premises of Andrew & Co in New Romney, Kent, are still unuseable.

The team had been forced to work out of the main office in Ashford.

Owner Andrew Neal said: “The fire was devastating for us, but we always wanted to reopen in New Romney.”

He said that despite reassuring clients that they were still open and working for them, they had lost business to other agents as a result.

He said: “This is like starting all over again, but we’re looking forward to it.”

He added: “I think it was just bad luck and one of those things, and I don’t think we could have done anything in terms of emergency planning. The plans only start when you’re in at the deep end.”

The blaze not only ravaged the firm’s old premises – where they had been for just six months – but cost local shopkeepers thousands of pounds in lost trade because the high street had to be closed.

It is understood no one has been arrested in connection with the fire.