Teenager in court over bus station "arson attack"

A TEENAGER has appeared at court charged with an "arson attack" which forced part of Rotherham’s main bus station to close for weeks.

The 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was before Magistrates in Sheffield on Friday in relation to the blaze at Rotherham Interchange on May 15 last year.

He is accused of arson with intent to endanger life or reckless as to whether life was endangered.

The fire caused damage to the roof and electrics at the bus station and meant stand A6 at the interchanged had to be closed, with scaffolding put in place between the road surface and the blackened ceiling.

The multi-storey car park above was closed for two months.

South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive has put in place plans to refurbish both the car park and the bus station, which it said would be co-ordinated with repairs to the fire damage.

The boy, who is from Sheffield, did not enter a plea and the case was sent to Sheffield Crown Court.

He was released on conditional bail until August 14.