Teenager boys arrested over scrapyard blaze that forced M1 closure

The boys, aged between 14 and 17, were arrested yesterday morning in a series of raids across Barnet and Harrow in north London.

Metropolitan Police made the arrests as part of an inquiry into the cause of a blaze that damaged the M1 motorway bridge directly above a scrapyard in the Mill Hill area of north London on April 15.

Scotland Yard said the youths would also be interviewed about two other suspicious fires nearby, both started in a nature reserve called the Moat Mount Open Space.

The fire-damaged section of the M1, between junctions one and four, had to be closed during the weekend of the London Marathon and the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley. Supporters of Manchester United, Manchester City, Stoke City and Bolton Wanderers all experienced delays as they travelled south.

The road only fully re-opened six days after the blaze and further closures may be needed in the future so permanent repair work can be carried out.

The disruption prompted Transport Secretary Philip Hammond to promise a Government review of industrial activities close to motorways.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Roycroft said: “Although we are pursuing a number of active leads into these fires we would still ask that anyone who has any information about these crimes contact Barnet police.

“Your information could be invaluable to the investigation and bringing those responsible to justice.”