A man accused of starting a devastating fire, which ultimately destroyed a House of Reeves store in Croydon during the August 2011 riots, has allegedly admitted to the offence in court.


Gordon Thompson, 33, allegedly stole a laptop from Reeves on August 8, before asking around for a lighter and setting fire to a sofa on display in the window. The resulting blaze was so ferocious buildings on the opposite side of the road caught fire and tram lines in the road burned.

Mr Thompson appeared before a jury at the Old Bailey today. According to national press, Mr Thompson was seen jogging away from the 144-year-old shop as the fire began to take hold, before stopping to tell a local resident "It was me, I did that."

Mr Thompson is on trial for violent disorder, burglary of Reeves, arson with intent to endanger lives and arson being reckless to whether life was endangered, all relating to incidents on August 8, 2011.

Jurors also heard how Croydon resident Monika Konczyk was forced to jump from a building burning as a result of the fire. It is alleged Ms Koncyzk was able to film Mr Thompson setting fire to the furniture store before she made her dramatic escape.

The defendant denies all charges, but has allegedly admitted burglary of two shops in Croydon - Iceland and House of Fraser - on the same evening.

View footage of the fire here.

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