A teenager badly injured in a huge arson attack in Sheerness has said she hopes those responsible have learned their lesson - after police let three suspects go without charge.

Kirsty Sawyer, 19, spoke out after police renewed an appeal for information following the release of the last three people arrested over the blaze at the former Glass House in June.

Two boys aged 15 and a 16-year-old boy, all from Sheerness, were released without charge this week.

Another 15-year-old boy and an 18-year-old man were previously released without charge, meaning all five are no longer suspects.

Kirsty, 19, and her friend Craig Monahan were visiting their friend Paul Miles, who lived in the top floor flat of the building when it was targeted by arsonists.

She and Paul both fell as they were trying to escape the flames and Craig was rescued by firefighters.

Kirsty, of Hartlip Close, Sheerness, is still suffering effects from the blaze and is due to have an operation on her larynx on Monday.

The supermarket worker will also be having speech therapy starting later this month as her throat was badly burned.

She said she understands it is a difficult case for the police to investigate because of the nature of fire destroying potential evidence - and says you "cannot dwell on it too much or it will ruin you".

"I guess it's just one of those things," she said. "It's disappointing that whoever started the fire won't be held accountable for their actions, but I do have hope they won't be doing anything like that again.

"Whether it was a joke, a dare or just 'because', I hope the extent of the damage done to the building and to people's lives, makes them think before doing something that dangerous again."

Kirsty said she and her friends and the others who lived there could easily have not been so lucky and it is a "miracle they are all still alive".

"I'd rather be coping and doing what we have to do to get better, than be dead," she added.

"I don't really hold a grudge to those responsible and I forgive them because they have to live with what they did.

"I just have hope it's taught them and everyone that fire safety is vital."

Kirsty hopes to return to work at Morrisons in Sittingbourne soon after her operation.

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