THE DEVELOPER of the Basingstoke building site ravaged by a suspected arson attack has vowed to review security at the complex.

The massive fire last Friday all but destroyed the four-storey, sheltered housing complex in Gershwin Road, Brighton Hill – causing £7million worth of damage.

Four Basingstoke schoolboys – three 15-year-olds and a 12-year-old – have since been arrested in connection with the fire, and have been released on bail until November 3.

The complex, built on behalf of Saxon Weald housing association, would have provided 64 flats for people aged over 60 with care needs and a day centre. Construction started in September last year and the flats were due to open in June 2011.

Rachel Richards, a spokeswoman for Saxon Weald, said that one security worker was on duty the night of the fire and he spotted and reported the fire at around 6.20pm. The site also had CCTV cameras, thought to have been destroyed in the blaze.

She said: “Usually, the security measures we have had in place are more than adequate – we have never had a problem before.

“We will be reviewing our security requirements when we rebuild the scheme. It’s such a shame that it’s put us so far back.”

She added that Saxon Weald was committed to the project and will meet with Castleoak Construction, the contractor, to discuss when work can continue. However, the completion date will now be 2012 at the earliest.

Fire investigation teams from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and Hampshire Constabulary were unable to access the whole site on Monday as it was considered too dangerous. The fire service had hoped to use Saxon the dog to sniff out chemicals commonly used in arsons, but this was postponed.

Officers made the four arrests after a witness saw two youths running from the site shortly before the fire was reported.

The three 15-year-olds were arrested last Saturday afternoon at their homes, while the 12-year-old was arrested at Basingstoke police station on Sunday lunchtime.

Basingstoke MP Maria Miller, who was on her way to Brighton Hill at the time of the fire, called for the police to take a tough stance if the fire is found to be arson.

She said: “This was not a schoolboy prank. This was a serious life-threatening, dangerous event.”