A man has been arrested on suspicion of arson after a huge blaze destroyed 140 cars at a car park in Rowfant, West Sussex, on August 22. The fire also damaged high voltage equipment and affected over 2,000 homes that had their power shut off. No casualties have been reported from the incident, but several businesses are believed to be affected by the destruction of their livelihoods. A spokesperson for London Gatwick Airport stated that they are aware of the fire at an unaffiliated car parking site and advise passengers whose vehicles may have been damaged to contact their parking operator directly.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-25,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
On August 22, around 9pm, a massive fire broke out in the car park and industrial estate at Caldyne Business Park in Rowfant, West Sussex. The blaze forced UK Power Network to shut off power to over 2,000 homes while eight fire engines battled the flames throughout the night. The site, used for people parking their cars before flying from Gatwick Airport, suffered significant damage with 140 cars destroyed and high voltage equipment damaged as well. A man has since been arrested on suspicion of arson and taken into custody. Thankfully, no casualties were reported in the fire, but it had a devastating impact on local businesses, including one car breakdown and recovery service that was based at the site.
Written for “Gatwick Airport Arson Attack” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
This article does not take a side on a contested political
question, so it has no leaning score. That is an
answer rather than a gap: a match report or a rescue can be warmly
or critically written without being left or right, and scoring it
anyway is how approval of a subject gets recorded as a political
position.
No political leaning scored for article 1973 · logged 2026-08-28
West Sussex Fire and Rescue were called to the scene at Caldyne Business Park in Rowfant just after 9pm on Saturday (August 22).
asserted
Fire → call → Saturday
UK Power Network was forced to shut off power to more than 2,000 homes while eight fire engines tackled the blaze through the night.
Read More
A total of 140 cars were destroyed in the blaze, according to reports.
A man has since been arrested on suspicion of arson and taken into custody.
uncertain
man → force → custody
The site is primarily used for people parking their cars on their way to Gatwick Airport.
asserted
site → use → Airport
It is not operated by London Gatwick nor is it affiliated with the airport.
asserted
it → operate → airport
According to reports, 140 cars and high voltage equipment are believed to have been damaged in the fire.
uncertain
cars → accord → fire
However, no casualties have been reported.
asserted
casualties → report → ?
One social media user said the “devastating fire” destroyed the livelihoods of many, including a car breakdown and recovery business based at the site.
asserted
fire → say → site
At the time of the blaze, West Sussex Police said in a statement: “Power has been shut off to the immediate area, affecting a number of businesses and homes, and nearby roads remain closed as a precaution.
“
asserted
roads → say → precaution
A number of cars have also been damaged at a site used for holiday parking.
“
asserted
number → damage → parking
Any affected consumers are advised to contact their operator directly.
asserted
consumers → advise → operator
“A man has been arrested on suspicion of arson and transported to custody.
asserted
man → arrest → custody
“Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to report it online or call 101, quoting serial 1504 of 22/08.”
asserted
Anyone → ask → 22/08
West Sussex Police have been approached for comment.
asserted
Police → approach → comment
A London Gatwick spokesperson said: “We are aware of a fire at an unaffiliated third-party car parking site, which occurred on Saturday evening, and understand how concerning and distressing this will be for any passengers whose vehicles may have been affected.
uncertain
vehicles → say → passengers
“We are advising any passengers who are concerned that their vehicle might have been affected to contact their parking operator directly.
uncertain
vehicle → advise → operator
“The parking company is not endorsed or operated by London Gatwick.”
asserted
company → endorse → Gatwick
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