SUSPECTED arsonists have left an Ipswich business counting the cost today after pallets, skips and a car were engulfed by fire at the company's warehouse.

SUSPECTED arsonists have left an Ipswich business counting the cost today after pallets, skips and a car were engulfed by fire at the company's warehouse.

Fire broke out at Munro Importers at Knightsdale Road Industrial Estate at about 8.40pm yesterday and devastated around 300 pallets covering around 20 square metres.

Two skips were also destroyed and a company car suffered extensive damage.

Chris Fisk of Cheltenham Avenue, Ipswich took the dramatic pictures shown today.

He said: “It was just before half time in the football when my wife was looking out of the living room and she said 'there's a fire'.

“I had a quick look and it seemed to be getting worse and worse, so I called the fire brigade.

“I asked if they knew about it and they said they hadn't been made aware. I was surprised because it was very close to some bungalows, but I think everyone was watching the football.

“Then the fire engines arrived and dealt with it.”

Seth Davis, technical manager, at Munro Importers said: “It is mainly pallets that we have lost and they were located away from the building.

“I got to work this morning to find this.

“Generally we don't have any problems around here with vandalism. We have youngsters using the pallets constructively for skateboarding and we have to clear them up but we have never had anything destructive before.”

Mr Davies said the front of one car had been damaged in the blaze and he believed it would be written-off.

He said two skips, one containing cardboard and one holding general rubbish, were destroyed and would have to be replaced.

Two fire crews from Princes Street and one crew from Colchester Road were called to the scene of the blaze last night.

The fire was under control by 9.30pm.

Knightsdale Road is a mix of industrial units and bungalows but the fire happened some distance from peoples' homes.

Police were also called to the scene at about 8.50pm last night and are currently investigating the incident.

Anyone with information should call Pc Chris Squirrell at Ipswich police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Did you see the blaze? Call The Evening Star newsdesk on 01473 324788 or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk>