£300,000 fire attack probe

More than £300,000 of farm machinery was severely damaged in a huge fire today after an arson attack at an industrial site in Shrewsbury.

Firefighters used water jets and breathing apparatus as they tackled the flames and intense heat. Explosions from tractor tyres echoed across a wide area.

The blaze broke out shortly before 4am today at Ravenhill Farm Services, Knights Way, Battlefield Enterprise Park.

Four new T7000 tractors, worth £60,000 each, and four trailers, were on fire. Crews used five main jets and six sets of breathing apparatus to deal with the blaze. They were still damping down the smouldering wreckage this morning.

Leading firefighter Phil Davies said: "Between £300,000 and £400,000 of damage was caused to farm machinery.

"Initially one pump was sent to the incident and on arrival it was obvious that at least four or five tractors were involved plus other farm machinery. We mobilised another two pumps from Shrewsbury.

"It was under control within the hour. The cause is under investigation by our fire services investigation unit at the moment and we are liaising with police.

"As we approached the Battlefield Enterprise Park, it was obvious there was a large fire.

"Fire control received several phone calls. People could hear explosions coming from it which was the tyres on the tractors."

Police today confirmed they were treating the incident as arson.

West Mercia Police spokesman Richard Ewels said: "We were notified just after 4am. It was a fire in the rear yard at Ravenhill Farm Services on Knights Way. It is being treated as arson. Police are liaising with the fire service."

Dave Edwards, manager of Ravenhill Farm Services, said: "I think it was probably arson because it seems strange that just one make of tractor was affected.

"One is in the middle of the car park by itself, the other three are in a line against the fence."

He said it would it have taken a lot of effort to have set the tractors on fire.

Witnesses should contact police on 08457 444888.

By Rebecca Lawrence and Pam Griffin