IPSWICH: An investigation is under way after arsonists torched two sheds in adjacent streets within an hour.

The early morning fires were set just 200 metres apart, destroying one shed and leaving a second badly damaged.

Firefighters from Princes Street were called first at 3.25am yesterday to Holbrook Road where a large garden shed, measuring six metres by six metres, was in flames.

At around 4.20am, just half-an-hour after the first blaze was extinguished, Princes Street firefighters were again called to a shed fire, a short distance away in Robeck Road.

The shed was well alight when a crew arrived to extinguish the flames, which were put out by 5.20am.

David Scott woke up to firefighters tackling a blaze in his Holbrook Road front garden.

His shed, made of wood and corrugated iron, was left badly damaged but was saved from complete destruction.

Mr Scott, 59, said: “I can patch it up with some wood panels. It’s a good job my car wasn’t in there.

“The firefighters did a good job damping it down for me.

“My day will be spent clearing up the mess. I can’t do a lot more than that.

“I have no idea what people get out of doing something like this. I’m sure it won’t deter them from doing it again.”

Police are appealing for anyone with information that may help investigations to call Pc Oliver Walker of the Ipswich Neighbourhood Response Team on 01473 613500.