Mail office fire 'cost millions'

The grim aftermath of the sorting office fire

The full extent of the damage caused by arsonists at the main sorting office in Northampton has been revealed.

The Royal Mail calculates it will cost millions of pounds to repair the building.

The clear-up and repair operation is expected to take months and there are fears that the structure of the three-storey building in Barrack Road may have been damaged in the fire.

Royal Mail spokesman Richard Hill said there were nine separate seats of fire.

"The evidence is fairly conclusive that this was a deliberate act and whoever has done it has caused a great deal of inconvenience not only to us but also to the residents of Northampton," he said.

Temporary sorting office

Royal Mail reckons that between 100,000 and 250,000 items have been affected by the fire which destroyed about 60,000 letters.

Hundreds of sacks full of post have been taken to a temporary sorting office set up at Crow Lane in the town.

A Royal Mail spokesman said that if expected letters had not arrived by the end of this week, people should contact customer services.

The fire began at 0615 BST on Sunday 7 September.

Northamptonshire Police investigating the arson attack have been carrying out house-to-house inquiries.