It survived the Great War, the Great Depression and the Second World War. But the House of Reeves wasn’t able to withstand the riots that swept across England.

 

The family-owned furniture store had been in business since opening its doors in 1867, when the suburb of Croydon was its own town two centuries ago. Five generations of Reeves had worked the store, with a sixth on the way. But now any plans to pass on the business have been reduced to smoldering ruins.

 

Store operator Graham Reeves said nothing was stolen from the building. Rioters simply torched it, while wreaking havoc in the area.

 

On Monday night a demolition crew began removing the ruins of the store. And on Wednesday police announced the arrest of a 21-year-old man on suspicion of starting the fire.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

 

Historic 144-Year-Old Store Burnt By Rioters (by Meera Selva, Associated Press)

Croydon Riots: 144-Year-Old Furniture Store Passed Down Through Five Generations of Family Lost to Fire (by Andrew Gregory, Daily Mirror)