Suspect blaze destroys caravan in back garden
TAXI driver Bill Adams says he is "gutted" after his cherished caravan was destroyed in a suspected arson attack.
The 66-year-old could only watch in disbelief as the mobile home went up in flames at the rear of his terrace home.
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Police are treating the attack, which happened shortly after midnight on Wednesday, as deliberate and have launched an investigation.
Mr Adams, below, said the first he knew was when he heard a loud bang.
He said: "I looked out of the back window and I could see flames coming from the caravan, which was parked at the rear of the back garden.
"I ran downstairs and filled a bucket of water and went outside to throw it on the fire, but the flames were too big.
"I called the fire service and it took them 20 minutes to get here, because one had to come from Nantwich, but I think it would have been too late anyway."
Neighbours living near to Mr Adams's home in Waine Street, Crewe, had to be evacuated from their homes for several hours as firefighters tackled the blaze.
Mr Adams, who lives with wife Karen, aged 40, has estimated the value of property lost in the fire at "tens of thousands of pounds."
The former landlord of Crewe's Rising Sun pub added: "We're still quite upset about it to be honest, because we really enjoyed going away in the caravan and it was one of the few things we had bought from new. It was a lovely caravan, but it's been totally destroyed.
"The caravan was insured for £17,000, but I also lost a couple of sheds, one which had tools inside and the other had lots of camping equipment.
"The police seem to think it was an arson attack and they told me there has been a few incidents in the town lately where people's cars have been set on fire.
"I'm still hoping it was due to an electrical fault, because I don't like to think someone would do this to us for no apparent reason.
"The only good thing is that nobody was hurt."
Detective Constable Bev Wilkinson urged anyone with information to contact police.
She said: "This was a serious fire and because of the possible danger from gas bottles some families were moved out of their homes for a few hours.
"The caravan was standing in the rear garden of a house and the garden is surrounded by a high fence.
"On the other side is a piece of open ground. It is possible someone crossed that ground to reach the fence and climb over.
"The open ground can be accessed from several different streets, including Coronation Street, Elm Drive, Ridgway Street and Charlesworth Street.
"Anyone who saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area at the time the fire started or just before, should contact us."
Anyone with information is asked to contact Mr Wilkinson on 0845 458 0000, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
20 Comments
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by jeffrey, buxton
Saturday, March 06 2010, 2:44PM
“I am a retired firefighter and have been caught several times in explosions by gas cylinders, fortuneately never seriously injured, people who fire caravans should consider the people who have to fight the fire to sop it spreading to nearby property before the take such reckless actions.”
by Warren, Meir
Saturday, March 06 2010, 9:26AM
“M. Davies, if you like your shed that much, I surgest you lock yourself in there, with no way of contacting the world outside.
I'm going to get a caravan, cover it with Xmas lights, push it down to Blythe Bridge and dump it outside your house.”
by tom, meir
Friday, March 05 2010, 11:42PM
“What a very sad life m davies must have if is one joy in life is slagging off other peoples hobbies well mr davies may i politely suggest you get a new hobby something like playing marbles in lane three of the m6”
by nick, stoke
Friday, March 05 2010, 8:49PM
“At least its one caravan off the road”
by M.Davies, Blythe Bridge
Friday, March 05 2010, 7:27PM
“And another thing. if I wanted to add an extention to my house I would need planning premission. Yet these monstrosities can be left in drives willy nilly”
by caroline, stoke on trent
Friday, March 05 2010, 3:57PM
“I personally dont like camping and have never owned a caravan but like the couple concerned would be distraught to see a treasured posession go up in flames not to mention terrified at the thought of the fire spreading to houses.I suggest M Davies apologises for his disgraceful and hurtful comments but I wont be holding my breath. What a shame he or she has such a sad empty life with nothing better to do than poke fun at traumatised people.”
by Michael, Stoke
Friday, March 05 2010, 3:46PM
“Well done M. Davies. This couple have lost a caravan in an act of wanton vandalism which was also extremely dangerous due to the presence of gas bottles. People could have been seriously injured.
And what do you do? Just use it as an opportunity to indulge in another of your pathetic rants!
If you haven't got anything useful to say then do us all a favour and say nowt!”
by Di, Stoke on Trent
Friday, March 05 2010, 2:37PM
“I own a caravan and its sits on the back of my drive and does not arm to anyone. We fill the caravan up and away we go, only takes us a hour to set up with the awning, and without the awning can takes just minutes, put the kettle on and then jobs a good one. Holidays in a caravan can be a bit uncomforatable sometimes but you make the most of it and it's what some people chose and others don't. So stop judging something that you have not tried. It's much better than camping in a tent. You do get to meet a lot of people on these holidays and can make friends too. Sorry to the family concerned, but like you say at least no one was in it.”
by Rustinho, Silverdale
Friday, March 05 2010, 2:36PM
“me again, home - DO NOT FEED THE TROLL. :)”
by me again, home
Friday, March 05 2010, 2:22PM
“M. Davies Blythe Bridge. If you don't like camping or caravaning then don't go. Nobody forces you do they? I have been camping, but never been behind a bush for the toilet,slept on the floor,had food poisoning or stepped in a cow pat.There are lots of things I don't like doing so I don't do them,but I don't moan about it like you do M.Davies.”