VIDEO footage has emerged of a car going up in flames after a suspected arson attack yards from people's homes and a caravan with a councillor calling the potential consequences 'disastrous'.
The incident happened in Lichfield Avenue in Ronkswood in Worcester in the early hours of this morning (Tuesday), leaving an Audi parked on the road burnt out.
The blaze, which forced the closure of the road, happened yards from flats, a caravan and other cars, near both the Co-op and the Punch Bowl pub.
The car has since been recovered although scorch marks on the road testify to the ferocity of the blaze.
Many residents spoke of being woken up by the burning car alarms and, when they went to investigate, the car was already on fire.
Cllr Elaine Willmore, who represents Nunnery (which includes Ronkswood) for the city council said: "Unfortunately this isn't the first suspected arson attack on cars we have had in Nunnery in recent months. There was one on the Medway estate.
"Lichfield Avenue is a residential area and the consequences of this could have been disastrous.
"Thank you to the fire service for responding and getting it under control so quickly."
She had seen video footage of the incident and spoke of the risks after the hot spell including dry grass and hedgerows.
Resident Dan Collins, 36, said he slept through it as he had two fans on because of the heat and suffered no damage to his own property.
"Imagine if anyone had been asleep in the caravan. He also sometimes parks close to the hedges. I woke up and the car was already burnt out," he said.
Another resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "I was woken up by the car alarm. It had just turned 5am. I looked out of the window and the car was on fire. So I phoned the fire brigade. We also had a car fire a couple of years ago that was suspicious.
"I am a bit concerned. I have a car right in front of my doorway. If that goes up, the house will go up."
Nobody in the nearby Co-op store would comment on the incident. Some residents suggested the incident had been captured on the store's CCTV cameras.
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A Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service crew from Worcester Fire Station was called at 5.06am on Tuesday to a small car fire on Lichfield Avenue.
Police were called as fire crews suspected this was a deliberate ignition.
West Mercia Police is appealing for information after a grey Audi was set on fire in Lichfield Avenue which is 'believed to be an arson'.
A police spokesperson said: "We are keen to hear from anyone who may have any information relating to the arson or that may have been in the area around the time of the incident and heard or seen anything suspicious.
"We are also encouraging the community to call us on 101 if they see anyone acting suspiciously around a vehicle."
If you have information you can let police know using the online ‘Tell Us About’ form on our website www.westmercia.police.uk, quoting incident reference 00058_I_30072024, or email benjamin.warman@westmercia.police.uk.
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