FIRE crews battled a 30ft wall of gas-fuelled flame after vandals set a gas box alight at a Redditch factory on Sunday night, writes Becky Procter.

Thousands of pounds of damage was caused to SG Springs Ltd in Park Farm and fire chiefs fear a spate of copycat attacks.

Firefighters spent several hours tackling the blaze, being investigated as arson.

An emergency crew from gas firm Transco was called in and a huge hole dug to allow the gas to be turned off.

It is the first such blaze Redditch fire crews have been called to for some time and Station Officer Mowatt fears vandals will see the disruption it caused and try something similar again.

Anyone with information can call Redditch police on 584888 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.