Littlehampton van owner prevents gas explosion

A quick-thinking van owner prevented a possible explosion by removing gas cylinders from his van shortly before it was engulfed in flames after being targeted by an arsonist in Littlehampton.

Police and firefighters were called to Oakcroft Gardens at 12.58am on Sunday (July 31), after a Ford Transit and a Mercedes Vino van were reported alight.

Emergency services were considering evacuating nearby houses because of fears that propane and oxygen cylinders were in the Transit, but it soon became clear that the cylinders had been removed by the owner and a passing off-duty firefighter.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The fires are not being linked to others in the area in recent weeks, but police said this would appear to be the third time that the owner’s vehicles had been damaged.

Anyone who witnessed anybody acting suspiciously in the area in the time leading up to the fires or who has any information about the incident is asked by police to call 0845 60 70 999 quoting serial 102 of 31/07, or Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.