Car arsonists keep crews busy

ARSONISTS went on a rampage through Suffolk today attacking cars and causing thousands of pounds of damage.

Fire crews reported a busy night with call outs to four cars - some of which spread to other vehicles parked nearby.

Residents living near to Heatherhayes, Ipswich, were woken shortly before 5am today to an explosion as a Peugeot 106 went up in flames.

One neighbour, who lives 100 yards away in the street and who did not want to be named, said: “At first I heard a car alarm going. Then there was an explosion.

“I went down to have a look and you could see it had been going a while.

“It was parked close to other cars and burning petrol was running down the street. If the fire crews hadn't been there it could have done a lot more damage.”

Three other vehicles were thought to have been damaged in this fire.

At 4.30am crews were called to Sandpiper Road, Ipswich, to a Suzuki Vitara which had been set alight.

One neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: “The fire engine woke me up. There wasn't an explosion or anything before that.

“But the fire has done a lot of damage to the vehicle. It is often parked there but I don't know who it belongs to. Nobody has been out today to have a look at it.

“There was a car fire in Janebrook Road about two weeks ago so it is becoming a worry.”

Shortly after midnight today crews received a report of a fire in Needles Corner, Harkstead, and another car blaze in The Street, Holbrook, at 2.27am.

The Holbrook fire was in a Ford Fiesta which spread to a Renault Megane.

A spokeswoman for the fire brigade said: “We can confirm that all of these fires are being treated as arson attacks.”

N Do you own any of the cars? Are you a resident who is concerned by the attacks? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk