Eight boys aged 13 to 16 have been arrested after a fire at the former Marks and Spencer building on Andover High Street. Hampshire Police were called to the derelict premises at 3.12pm on Monday, October 12, with a large emergency services response following reports of a blaze in the town centre. Two boys, aged 14 and 15, both from Andover, were arrested on suspicion of arson. A further five boys, three aged 15, one aged 13, and another aged 16, were arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life. A separate 14-year-old boy was also arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and obstructing or resisting a police officer in the execution of duty. All eight boys are from Andover and remain in police custody while enquiries continue. Fire crews from Andover, Sutton Scotney and Winchester were mobilised shortly after 3.15pm, alongside firefighters from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service. The fire broke out inside the former store, with debris between the ground and first floors. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service said firefighters used breathing apparatus, hose-reel jets and main jets to extinguish the flames. The stop message was received at 7.20pm. Crews returned later that evening for further safety checks and found no signs of smoke or remaining hotspots. Police and fire investigators are working together to establish the circumstances behind the blaze. The exact cause of the fire has not been confirmed, and no details have been released about the extent of damage. The investigation remains ongoing and the eight arrested suspects are still in custody.