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EPPING FOREST: Firestarters on the loose
POLICE fear a gang of arsonists could be deliberately targeting businesses in the district.
Three fires have been started on one industrial estate in six months, and the latest caused about £250,000 worth of damage.
The firebugs torched an office building on the Hallsford Bridge estate, in Ongar, and at one point more than 20 fire-fighters battled to bring the inferno under control.
PC Ian Forsith, who is investigating the Stondon Road blaze, said it was the latest in a spate of arson attacks. The fear now is that someone could be hurt or injured if another firm is targeted.
He said: "The others were more minor, but Friday's fire was the biggest by far.
"It was started on the top floor and worked its way down. The building was undergoing refurbishment and it was secure but there are no windows, so it would not have been too difficult to get in there, and there was scaffolding around."
The arsonists clambered up to the top floor to start the fire, which has left the building structurally unsafe, which means its owners, Ilford-based construction company Bolt and Heeks Ltd, will have to put off moving in.
Managing director Alan Williams said: "We're devastated. Obviously it has put a major dent into our plans to move there and everyone in the company is upset. The building was coming along quite well. We're meeting with the insurers and working out what we can do."
"We were in the early stages of fitting it out. We estimate the damage to be about £250,000 - windows and the roof - but internally there was hardly anything there."
Police crime reduction officer Tony Ellis said: "Isolated commercial buildings are naturally at risk from thieves and vandals. Proprietors should examine their security regularly to ensure it is fit for purpose. In particular they should make sure fire alarms and sprinkler systems are serviced regularly to ensure they will operate to maximum efficiency."
The alarm was raised at about 9.40pm on Friday.
Initially two fire crews attended but two additional appliances were immediately summoned and then another three. Fire-fighters were hampered by a lack of water and a hose laying lorry provided supplies from High Ongar.
Assistant Divisional Fire Officer Bill McKenzie, speaking at the scene, said: "We're treating it as suspicious because there has been a spate of arson in the area. Over the last six months this is the third - and the biggest."
Call police on 0300 333 4444 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
11:43am Thursday 1st May 2008
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CommentPosted by: mr Khalid, walthamstow on 3:14pm Thu 1 May 08
is for sure the parson have the match in he pocked hand he must be naer to the place and the policemens must sarch this parson and checed the pokets and stop this becose so dangros for the pepal if makeded the fire in the pubic place and burning evry thjinks
is for sure the parson have the match in he pocked hand he must be naer to the place and the policemens must sarch this parson and checed the pokets and stop this becose so dangros for the pepal if makeded the fire in the pubic place and burning evry thjinks
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