FIREBUG maniacs were being hunted in Hadleigh today after the 20th arson attack in the town this year.In the latest incident, mother-of-five Karen Rae today relived the moments when a torched car came rolling towards her house in a ball of flame.

FIREBUG maniacs were being hunted in Hadleigh today after the 20th arson attack in the town this year.

In the latest incident, mother-of-five Karen Rae today relived the moments when a torched car came rolling towards her house in a ball of flame.

Householders in Bradfield Crescent phoned the fire brigade as they watched the blazing Volkswagen Golf heading slowly downhill towards their homes.

The string of arson attacks in the town have left residents angry and fearing for their property.

The problem has become so bad that The Evening Star promised a £1,000 reward to the person who can supply information which leads to the arrest and successful prosecution of those responsible.

The latest car fire took place at around 10pm yesterday.

Mrs Rae said: "I looked out the window and saw the car was rolling.

"It was lucky that it did not roll any faster because it would have gone up the kerb and set the hedge on fire and could have set the house on fire.

"It was really frightening for my children."

This was at least the 20th arson attack in Hadleigh this year. Many of them have been targeted at cars, but wheelie bins and even football huts have been on the hit list.

Until now many of the car fires have been in the Pykenham Way area of the village, but now seem to be spreading to other areas.

Ms Rae said: "It is on your mind, but you never realise something until it is on your doorstep – when it becomes closer to home it becomes more real.

"You just think why do they keep doing it? I just can't understand why they want to damage other people's property.

"It may only have been a C-Reg car, but that is just not the point – that was someone's means of transport."

Acting Inspector for Suffolk police, Tristan Pepper, urged people with any information to call them.

He said: "This is one in a series of similar offences in the same area of town.

"We are relying on people living in the area to come forward with any information or

suspicions they may have."

Anyone with information should contact Pc Scott Leamies at Hadleigh police station on 01473 613500 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Just some of the fires in Hadleigh this year:

January 1 – Car fire in Lady Lane industrial estate.

January 18 – Caravan fire in Bradfield Avenue.

January 22 – Wheelie bin fire in High Street damaged a Sue Ryder charity shop. Another wheelie bin fire in Magdalen Road.

February 13 – Car fire in Duke Street.

February 16 – Shed fire at high school and skip burned in Pykenham Way.

February 23 – Car fire in Clopton Gardens.

March 8 – Two car fires in Ansell Close.

March 10 – Car fire in Calais Street.

March 11 – Skip burned in Timperley Road.

March 21 – Car fire in Wades Lane, Raydon.

March 23 – Car fire in Pykenham Way.

March 24 – Wheelie bin fire in Angel Street.

March 29 – Football hut fire in Hintlesham.

April 11 – Fire in diesel store at Fountain's Yard off Pykenham Way spreads to tractor, skip, fence and container.

May 20 – Car fire in Bradfield Avenue.

May 23 – Mobile building fire in Fullers Lane.

May 26 – Two wheelie bins and a van on fire in Pykenham Way.

August 11 – Car fire in Pykenham Way.

October 4 – Car fire in Timperley Road.