'Fireball' car rolls down street
A BLAZING car became an out-of-control fireball after being torched by vandals in a vehicle-filled Torquay street late at night.
Firefighters said it was lucky no damage was caused when the moving inferno rolled 75 yards along Magdalene Road near the town's courthouse.
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It is thought the heat of the blaze melted the blue Ford Escort's brakes, allowing it to travel along the road before coming to rest against metal railings at Upton Park.
Before slipping away from its parking spot, the burning car's flames set light to a lock-up store containing antiques seized by bailiffs.
The store's door was badly damaged in the fire, although the contents remained unscathed.
Two fire crews attended the incident just after 3am yesterday.
Initially one crew responded after receiving a 999 call about rubbish being on fire in the street.
They arrived to find two separate blazes — the car and the store.
Red watch commander Mark Kitchen said: "It was a bit of a shock to find two seats to the fire, so I immediately called for another crew to attend.
"We dealt with the store while the second crew tackled the car which was well alight and already a write-off."
He added: "The moving car could have caused quite a bit of damage to other cars or even the premises nearby, but fortunately it ended up against the railings." Another parked car's rear number plate was damaged by the heat from the burning Escort.
Firefighters also noticed a Nissan truck parked in front of the slightly damaged car, a white Skoda Fabia, appeared to have been targeted by thieves.
They discovered the vehicle's front passenger window had been smashed, and a radio inside was missing. Police were informed.
Altogether three hosereels were used to tackle the two blazes together with a positive pressure ventilation machine.
Rob Foster, from Torbay Auto, Electrics in Magdalene Road turned up to work yesterday morning to discover the burnt out shell of the white L-registration Ford Escort resting against the fence near his garage.
He said: "There was a police car there when I got here and you can see where it was set on fire, and then it has rolled back and embedded itself against the fence.
"We get the odd abandoned car, but nothing like this, it must have been a bit of a blaze because it has scorched the tree above."
Contents of the bailiffs' store were not affected, although the premises were badly smoke-filled. Guttering and wooden boards were fire-damaged as was the door.
A police spokesman confirmed officers were treating the incidents as theft and arson.
Anyone with information about suspicious activity in the area should ring police on 08452 777444, quoting crime FT/08/7169.
18 Comments
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by Omar Gourd, Torbay
Thursday, August 28 2008, 1:21PM
“Have I missed something here? The article is a report on a runaway torched car, but every comment made seems to be a rant about "benefits scum". Just to keep things in perspective.......vandalism is not solely perpetrated by people on benefits.”
by Tyson, Torquay
Thursday, August 28 2008, 8:40AM
“Colin i is a real person and lives in Hele. an I hav had a job befor so dont not work on purpos as peepol hav said. I worked in a kitchin at a restrant but lost my job cos i wernt cleen. i tryd to get a job agin but there aint good jobs at the centre.”
by Old Mother Shipton, Torbay
Thursday, August 28 2008, 2:59AM
“Colin Smart, Torquay
¿The scum minority will eventually become the majority¿
Colin some would argue that the scum became the majority a long time ago.”
by Old Mother Shipton, Torbay
Thursday, August 28 2008, 2:45AM
“The more you cut benefit¿s the more crime is committed and the higher the cost of the prison system, every bed provided for in a prison is one less bed for a hospital, The value of shares on the Stock
Market can drop more in one day than every penny paid in
unemployment benefit in one year. Northern Rock cost the equivalent of two to four thousand pounds for every person in the U.K. that
would be enough money to build enough houses to house every homeless person in the U.K.................................................. ¿As you sow so shall you reap¿.”
by Colin Smart, Torquay
Wednesday, August 27 2008, 10:27PM
“I strongly suspect that "Tyson" is someone having a little joke.
Moving on, just to clarify, I'm not labelling anyone on benefits as "scrounging scum", I know some very hard working dedicated single mums (amongst other examples) who have ended up in their situation through no fault of their own (bar possibly poor judgement in ex partner) and need the benefits they rightly deserve to survive.
Non the less, there are plenty of real "scrounging scum" who are simply after a free ride, and the easiest way to get this is to get yourself some kids. Obviously you don't want to then be expending effort looking after them or bringing them up so out they go to "play", no questions asked or answered.
I'm not advocating scrapping benefits, I'm advocating scrapping these scroungers. No effort to work should instantly equal no benefits.”
by Tyson, torquay
Wednesday, August 27 2008, 10:24PM
“I kuldn't get a job if I tried - I'm better off on benefits don't ave to pay council taex or foot dentist bills”
by kate, paignton
Wednesday, August 27 2008, 8:57PM
“Tyson -I have to add -grow up. Don't you think all people have money problems and the world is not against you because you are on benefits. The fact is all people, except very, very rich people, have to continually strive bloody hard working or not. Stop thinking you are an economic victim because news for you, everyone is. Get real and earn respect by trying at least!”
by anon, paignton
Wednesday, August 27 2008, 8:56PM
“Sorry Carole you are wrong there are not plenty of full-time jobs about or even part-time jobs my son (who is single)has gone for plenty of jobs but there are so many applicants,he doesnt always
get an interview.
Plus to support 4 kids and not be on any form of benefit you have to have a pretty well paid job.
People find themselves on benefits for all different reasons doesnt mean they are scoungers or lowlifes!”
by kate, paignton
Wednesday, August 27 2008, 8:34PM
“Tyson -you have just read what you wanted from my comment and I mentioned the words benefits and lots of children. Actually I think you'll find that most people do not have a problem with people on benefits because they need support - I certainly don't. Everyone needs support when needed. The problem is clear to me as it's blatantly obvious and if you read what i said you may see that -it's not against you personally or anyone else on benefits.”
by Carole, Torquay
Wednesday, August 27 2008, 7:40PM
“Tyson from Torquay just about sums it up for the low life in Torbay. There are plenty of jobs about Tyson, otherwise the 'JOB CENTRE' would not be in the town of Torquay. One thing that I can't understand, if you and your girl friend are struggling to bring your 4 children up, why doesn't one of you get a job. That is possible don't you think and how can you afford a computer................I'm sorry Tyson, but you have to try harder than that.”