Police investigate fire at firm involved in dispute with Tottenham

Police have launched an investigation and are treating the fire that gutted the offices of a firm involved in a development dispute with Tottenham Hotspur as "suspicious".

Firefighters were called to the blaze at Archway Sheet Metal Works, on Paxton Road, just yards from Spurs' White Hart Lane ground at around 5am on Tuesday.

London Fire Brigade said six fire engines and 35 firefighters and officers worked to bring the fire under control and there were no reports of any injuries. 

"An investigation has been launched into the cause of the fire," a Scotland Yard spokesman said. "At this early stage the fire is being treated as suspicious."

The family-run firm is situated on the final piece of land that Tottenham have been trying to acquire to start the redevelopment of their stadium. 

The club plans to build a 56,000-plus capacity stadium next to the existing White Hart Lane ground, which holds just over 36,000.

In July the club overcame a major hurdle after the Government approved a compulsory purchase order allowing building work to begin.

But Archway's move to challenge the decision in the High Court resulted in a revised construction programme, with the club saying it was now "highly unlikely" the stadium would be ready for the start of the 2017/18 season.