Arbourthorne Councillor Ben Miskell is outraged after a bench dedicated to Kelly Brewster, a local victim of the Manchester Arena Terror attack, was set on fire causing considerable damage to a much-loved community building. 

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue were called out to a fire at the Arbourthorne Tenants and Residents Association (TARA) building on East Bank Road after receiving reports from residents.

Councillor Ben Miskell, who represents Park and Arbourthorne said: ‘Those responsible should be ashamed of themselves. Not only have they destroyed a bench dedicated to a young woman who tragically lost her life in a terror attack, but they have caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to a well-loved Community Centre. 

He went on to say: ‘Someone in our community knows who is responsible and I am encourage them to report this information to South Yorkshire Police or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111’. 

The building is owned by Sheffield City Council and is used as a base for the local Tenants and Residents Association (TARA) to meet and regularly held bingo and other community events prior to the pandemic. The fire has damaged both the exterior and interior of the building, with water damage from attempts to extinguish the blaze causing considerable interior damage to the building.