POLICE have ruled out arson as the cause of a fire which swept through a master carver's workshop.
But Joseph Hemingway - determined to stay in business despite the setback - says he is sure the blaze was started deliberately.
His joiner's shop behind cottages on Wood End Road in Armitage Bridge was gutted on January 23.
Dr Hemingway, 64, raised the issue with Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman, who contacted Kirklees police.
In a letter of reply, Chief Insp Ged McManus told Mr Sheerman the evidence did not point to arson.
He said: "Neighbours expressed the opinion that the premises were a fire waiting to happen.
"West Yorkshire Fire Service found there was nothing to support the contention that the fire was started deliberately.
"Dr Hemingway has been in touch in relation to what he feels may be incendiary devices. On examination, these objects have proved quite innocent."
But Dr Hemingway said: "That letter is rubbish. For a start my neighbours have never been in my workshop, so how do they know that it was a fire waiting to happen?"
He added: "Somebody went in and put blinds up before the fire and I've found incendiary devices in there."
In December Dr Hemingway installed two CCTV cameras at his Meltham Road home - which is next to the workshop - because of repeated vandal attacks.
