Dinnington dance school and florist's left gutted after arson attack

A FLORIST'S and a performing arts school have been left gutted after arsonists started a fire outside their base in the early hours of the morning.

The burnt out building on Laughton Road, Dinnington, was home to two businesses - Limelands Florist and Julie Turner's Stage Academy. 

Julie (60), who runs the first floor stage school with her daughter Jacqui Turner, said she has been left “completely heartbroken”.

"I've run the stage academy from this same building for the last 23 years and then in the space of an hour it's all gone," said Julie.

"There is absolutely nothing left and with the equipment and costumes we have lost, we're looking at thousands of pounds worth of items gone completely."

A Limelands Florist spokesperson thanked their online supporters and said in statement posted on Facebook that the business would be trading from the town’s indoor market on a temporary basis.

Four fire crews tackled the blaze for around four hours after it broke out at 3am on Saturday.

A spokeswoman for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said: "The fire began outside and quickly spread up the guttering of the building and into the roof.

"The building has been totally destroyed and the cause of the fire is believed to be deliberate."