A teenager from Woodhatch has been charged with arson after fire tore through a large shed in Reigate, causing more than £10,000 worth of damage.

James Oliver Edward Dungey, 18, of Hazel Road, was charged after the blaze destroyed the wooden shed containing power tools at a property in Smoke Lane.

Surrey Police and Surrey Fire and Rescue Service launched a joint investigation after the fire in the early hours of Saturday (October 13).

Investigating officer Detective Constable Audrey Cumiskey of Reigate CID, said it was very lucky the blaze had not spread to the house.

Det Con Cumiskey said: "The fire completely destroyed the shed and caused a considerable amount of damage to the property stored inside, but it is very lucky that the flames did not spread to the nearby house.”

A Surrey Police spokeswoman said no injuries were reported from the occupants of the property.

Several police units, including detectives from CID and the dog unit, went to the scene and a short time later a man in his teens was arrested.

Later the same day, Dungey was charged.

He appeared at South West Surrey Magistrates Court in Guildford on Monday (October 15), where he was remanded in custody until Wednesday, November 14, to appear at Redhill Magistrates Court. Appealing for witnesses, Det Con Cumiskey said: “"This kind of reckless behaviour is completely unacceptable and I would appeal to anyone who has any information on the incident to contact us.”

Anyone with information on the fire is urged to contact Surrey Police on 101, quoting reference RB/12/8380.

Alternatively, people can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.