Arson suspected as 10,000 costumes go up in flames

A serious fire which broke out on Saturday at around 3.30am has destroyed thousands of costumes that were used in films such as The King’s Speech.

The costume hire business in Market Street, Torquay has supplied costumes to the stage and screen since 1966 and have been worn by many actors including Brian Blessed, Edward Woodward and Oliver Reed.

Around 50 firefighters attended the blaze which destroyed over 10,000 ‘irreplaceable’ costumes.

The owner of the company, Mr Lionel Digby said; “It is finished.  The only things that haven’t been damaged is the stuff that is not valuable.  You can’t replace things that were made in 1914, they were collectors’ items.  At 76 years of age do I really want to start all over again? Perhaps this is God’s way of telling me to take it easy.”

It is not yet known how the fire started but a 28 year old has been arrested and is due to appear in court charged with six offences including burglary and arson.