Emergency services fought a substantial blaze at Caldyne Business Park in Rowfant shortly before 9pm on Saturday 22 August, after a fire took hold in a workshop and spread to parked vehicles, including cars used by holiday parking firms serving Gatwick Airport.
What happened
Crews from West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service remained at the site damping down into Sunday as teams dealt with hot spots. Firefighters described the incident as complex, involving vehicles, a workshop and cylinders. No injuries have been reported.
“On Saturday (22 August) at 8.56pm we were alerted to fire at Wallage Lane in Rowfant. Crews have been at the scene since the initial 999 call, responding to a significant and complex fire involving a workshop, vehicles (including electric and heavy goods vehicles), and cylinders.”
Sussex Police said a 67-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of arson and later released on bail while enquiries continue. A joint investigation has been launched between the fire service and the police.
Local disruption and response
The scale of the blaze prompted UK Power Networks to cut electricity to more than 2,000 properties while crews tackled the fire, affecting homes and businesses in the area. West Sussex County Council’s Resilience and Emergencies Team provided assistance to vulnerable residents. Power has since been restored.
- Incident reported: around 8.56pm on Saturday 22 August
- Location: Caldyne Business Park, Wallage Lane, Rowfant
- Impact: workshop and multiple vehicles destroyed; power cut to 2,000+ properties; nearby road closures
Firefighters confirmed that several of the cars involved were parked at a site used for holiday parking for travellers flying from Gatwick. Operators affected have been advised to contact their customers directly.
| Detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| Reported time | 8.56pm, 22 August |
| Properties without power | More than 2,000 |
| Person arrested | 67-year-old man (on suspicion of arson) |
Teams expected to leave the scene later on Sunday after completing damping-down work. Anyone who believes their vehicle was affected and who uses a parking operator at Gatwick has been urged to contact that operator directly for details on next steps.
The joint police and fire investigation will seek to establish the cause and sequence of events that led to the fire.
