Two boys arrested after fire at disused Brotherton restaurant
Officers say a full search of the building will take place once it's safe
Last updated 22nd Sep 2026
Two boys have been arrested after a fire broke out at a disused restaurant near Brotherton, in the Selby area.
The fire, at the empty Thaal restaurant on the Great North Road, was reported late on Sunday night and is believed to have caused considerable damage to the property, North Yorkshire Police said.
The two boys, aged 12 and 15, were arrested in the early hours of Monday morning on suspicion of arson.
Both remain in custody, and police have not ruled out further arrests.
No reports of any injuries or missing people have been received, but a full search of the property will be carried out once it is safe to do so, police said.
Officers have warned that deliberately setting fires is a serious criminal offence that puts lives at risk and can cause devastating damage to homes, businesses, vehicles and the environment.
Even a small fire can quickly spread, placing firefighters, emergency workers and members of the public in danger, North Yorkshire Police said.
Anyone with information about the fire is asked to call North Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting the incident number.
People can also get updates from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service's website.
Anyone worried about a young person playing with fire can complete a FireSafe referral through North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service's website.
The service also offers a free online home fire safety check, which can help people spot fire risks in their home, and may lead to a home visit depending on the answers given.
Anyone with information about deliberate fire-setting who does not want to speak directly to the emergency services can contact FireStoppers, an anonymous reporting service run in partnership with the charity Crimestoppers.
All identifying information, such as phone numbers and IP addresses, is removed before reports are passed to fire and rescue services, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said.
FireStoppers can be contacted on 0800 169 5558 or via firestoppersreport.co.uk.
If there is an immediate risk to life or property, people should call 999.