Vigilantes went to a house after a girl was “wrongly named” on social media as responsible for leaving four girls with serious burn injuries in a fire at a Brighton burger bar.
The social media post included photographs of a girl and a name – and said: “Who knows who this girl is? Lives in Whitehawk apparently? She’s got a lot of explaining to do.
“Parents’ names or addresses would be much appreciated. Four little girls fighting for their lives. Someone must know who this is.”
The four injured girls suffered potentially life-changing burns after a fire and reports of a “fireworks explosion” at Wendy’s, in Western Road.
Fire investigators said the cause was accidental and Sussex Police said at the time that there was nothing to suggest that fireworks had been used.
The injured girls were taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital and the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital, in Brighton, for treatment after the fire “in the toilet area” at Wendy’s.
Yesterday (Tuesday 5 November) the force dismissed allegations against the girl named on social media as false.
The force said: “We are aware of inaccurate speculation relating to the fire at Wendy’s restaurant in Brighton last week.
“Four girls were seriously injured during this incident on Thursday 31 October and are receiving hospital treatment.
“We urge the public not to speculate about this incident which has had a profound impact on the children involved.
“The public should also be aware of incorrect information relating to a young girl who has been wrongly named on social media.
“She was not involved in this incident.
“We can confirm there is no evidence of any third-party involvement and this was confirmed at the time by both fire and attending officers.
“The incident is being treated as non-suspicious and we can further confirm that no fireworks were involved in the incident.”
If the police were honest in the first place about how this bizzare incident happened, perhaps there would be no speculation in the first place.
So come on Sussex Police, what happened?
Isn’t it enough that four young girls were injured. The fire brigade said it was an accident. Why do people have to speculate and make stuff up, just so they can sound off on social media? It’s not ok for people to fill in the gaps using their warped imaginations. If there’s anything to report, it will be reported in the fullness of time. If not just mind your own business and wish the four girls a speedy recovery
Why the hell would they ever consider releasing the details of a non criminal incident involved 4 severely injured CHILDREN some of whom are severely disfigured just to satisfy your perverse and immoral curiosity? What the hell do you want. It was a tragic ACCIDENT get that into your head and stop causing people more pain
It’s none of your business. They have already said it was not a criminal offence but an accident. AN ACCIDENT. That is all you need to know and that is is all you have a right to know
Where does it say it was an accident?
Not everything is part of a conspiracy my dude
Whitehawk innit
The girl brought it on her self bragging about being involved and wishing the girls dead and spouting vile abuse at the family members. And as for what happened it is none of your business and you have zero right to be told. How much clearer can the police be it wasn’t anything involving criminal or suspicious activities and they are not looking for anyone in connection that is all you need to know. Respect the rights of medical confidentiality and privacy of the children and they’re families respectively, show basic human decency, stop speculating and stop thinking you are somehow entitled to demand information.You are not
Something does not add up here. If it was an accident then tell us what kind of accident.
This incident occurred in a public place, the public have a right to know if they are likely to catch fire if they use the toilets in Wendy Burgers.
If you don’t kill the speculation, you only feed it
This reminds me of years ago, I think it was on yet another council estate in Cardiff?
The local “Village Idiots” got the wrong end of the chain of Chinese Whispers/speculation that you get on these sort of estates and decided to target the home of a paedophile. Only problem was because they were so completely and utterly dense, the person they targeted was paediatrician!!
Oh that was Moulscoombe. But probably happened in Cardiff as well.
Sorry Chris. I checked on BBC website. It wasn’t Moulscoombe.
It was in Newport near Cardiff, and happened in 2000 to a lady consultant paediatrician Yvette Cloete. This was due to a press campaign by the News of The World against paedophiles in general.
Preston Parker sounds like a Tommy Fivenames supporting conspiracy theorist.
Police won’t give out a running commentary in case a crime has been committed. And if there has, putting information in the public domain could jeopardise a trial.
It’s standard practice. Not a cover up by the fascist police state/elites/ lizards etc.
Well Mr clever clogs, the Police have made the situation worse, by saying what it wasn’t, but not saying anything else.
Are we to suspect that it was instantaneous human combustion? In a non flammable washroom, I am struggling to come to any other conclusion.
At the very least Wendy Burgers need to know, so that they can continue to serve their delicious BACONATOR in safe and sound trading environment
It was an ACCIDENT. Actually try listening to what the police have told you multiple times instead of bitching about not being told about what you have Actually been told ffs
Lots of people on other news sites claiming they know the girls and that they weren’t doing anything wrong. Why so cloak and dagger then? If it was due to something like an electrical fault, why not just say that?
As a member of the public , who uses Wendy Burgers , I want to know that the premises is safe.
Exactly how can 4 people go into a washroom (Presumably Tiled, no flammable materials) and suffer serious burns?
Very careful wording ‘No third party involvement’ and ‘not fireworks’ and ‘non suspicious’
Why the secrecy? If it was horseplay just say so. I’m afraid it either leaves that or a suggestion of corporate negligence on the part of Wendy Burgers?
Did they set fire to some loo roll?
Did a vape explode?
Were they smoking?
Did a hand dryer catch fire?
Spontaneous human combustion is an outside possibility , but I very much doubt that
The level of clarity about this sad and distressing incident is both laughable and shameful. It is no good saying ‘ none of my busines’ it happened in a public area, so it is very much public business
Look, investigations like this require discretion, especially when minors are involved. The authorities and Wendy’s have no obligation to release details, especially when they’re still piecing together what happened. Speculating wildly doesn’t help anyone – least of all the families and individuals affected. Sometimes, it’s worth accepting that not all incidents require public answers.
You will never know the full circumstances.
I am not asking for the names of those involved. I am not interested in that.
What I am interested in , is how this happened.
Is Wendy Burgers safe? It is a place open to the public.
I agree with you, tell us what the hell happened, and stop all the rumours..