Arsonists set six lorries alight (From Witney Gazette)

Arsonists set six lorries alight

9:00am Wednesday 1st November 2006 in Witney By The Page Turner

ARSONISTS caused hundreds of thousands of pounds damage by setting six lorries packed with eggs alight at an egg packing company in Standlake.

Residents living near Deans Foods, at Cotswold Farm, on the Lakeside industrial estate, heard explosions and called firefighters shortly before 11pm on Saturday.

Animal rights activists have carried out similar attacks in Oxfordshire.

But police said on Sunday they were not linking the arson with animal rights groups at this stage - but have not ruled out a possible connection. More than 50 firefighters attended the scene, and managed to prevent the lorry fires spreading to nearby warehouses, containing thousands of hens.

But the six lorries, all containing eggs, were badly damaged, or destroyed.

Incident commander, Matt Carlisle, said: "Residents in Standlake heard explosions and saw the glow from the fire.

"We immediately sent eight engines and, thanks to the rapid intervention of the first crew, we were able to prevent the fire spreading to the nearby building, containing thousands of hens."

Incident commander, Matt Carlisle

"We immediately sent eight engines and, thanks to the rapid intervention of the first crew, we were able to prevent the fire spreading to the nearby building, containing thousands of hens.

"It was a very intense fire, and we are working with the police scenes of crime officers to establish the cause.

"Residents heard the tyres exploding, and the air tanks that supply the brakes. All six lorries were well ablaze, and it was a difficult fire to fight."

Mr Carlisle estimated that the blaze could have caused at least £250,000 damage, with each lorry and trailer worth approximately £40,000.

Firefighters were working with detectives from Thames Valley Police over the weekend to establish the cause of the fire, which is being treated as suspicious.

The A415 on either side of the site had to be closed until the early hours of the morning.

Det Con Jill Morton, of Thames Valley Police, who is investigating the incident, said: "Thankfully no one was injured, and the prompt actions of the fire service prevented the situation from worsening.

"However, this fire was extremely serious, has caused hundreds of thousands of pounds damage and required several hours of the emergency services' valuable time."

She added: "It is vital that anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the area, or who has any other information that may assist the inquiry, contact Witney CID as soon as possible."

Managers at Deans Foods declined to comment when the Witney Gazette visited the site on Sunday.

Anyone with information should contact the police, on 08458 505505, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.