Investigation launched following car fire in Telford
An investigation has been launched after a car was deliberately set alight whilst parked in Arleston Avenue in Arleston early this morning.
The vehicle had been parked on the road, outside the owner's property when it was set alight at around 12.25am.
A neighbour was disturbed by a noise and looked out of the window and saw the car alight.
He quickly went outside and attempted to douse the flames using a fire extinguisher.
Another neighbour woke the owner of the vehicle and he also attempted to put the fire out using a fire extinguisher. The Fire Service attended and the flames were fully extinguished.
Police are treating the incident as arson and are appealing to anyone with information to come forward.
A Telford Police spokeswoman said: "The victim was asleep when a neighbour banged on his door to say that his car was on fire.
"The victim and another neighbour used fire extinguishers to try and put out the flames. The Fire Service arrived soon after and the fire was fully extinguished.
"The car - a Ford Focus - suffered serious damage to its engine and bonnet. The cost of the damage is estimated to be in the region of £2,400.
"Following initial investigations police are treating the fire as suspicious and we are appealing to anyone with information to come forward.
"We want to hear from anyone who may have seen any persons acting suspiciously in the vicinity of the vehicle during the last few days, in particular in the early hours of toady.
"If you have any information at all please contact Telford Police on 101. Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111."
