Hunt for two teens after Welwyn Garden City arson attack
TWO teenagers are being hunted after four cars were torched, a building was gutted and two further buildings damaged in an arson attack in WGC. Firefighters battled the flames from 2.30am, at Peartree Farm, in Peartree Lane, on Friday – although their eff
TWO teenagers are being hunted after four cars were torched, a building was gutted and two further buildings damaged in an arson attack in WGC.
Firefighters battled the flames from 2.30am, at Peartree Farm, in Peartree Lane, on Friday - although their efforts were hampered by more than 20 gas canisters on site.
The youths are believed to have set alight a Renault Megane, which caused a Peugeot and two Toyotas - which were parked close by - to go up in flames.
Eyewitness Stella Smith, of Home Meadow, saw flames shooting from the building.
You may also want to watch:
She said: "It looked pretty dangerous."
The building that was burned out was a privately-owned unit used for storage.
Most Read
- 1 Gallery: Snow gives Welwyn Hatfield residents much-needed fun in lockdown
- 2 Man in hospital after being trapped in car following A1(M) crash
- 3 New welcome signs arrive at railway station
- 4 The latest court results for Welwyn Hatfield and Potters Bar
- 5 Even more pics of fun in the snow in Welwyn Hatfield
- 6 Police warn FIFA Tournament 'not a reason to break the current COVID rules' and issue fines
- 7 Fine issued to funeral director after ‘clear and blatant breach’ of coronavirus rules
- 8 Rapid community COVID-19 testing launches in Hertfordshire
- 9 Welwyn Garden City's Sam Caiger returns for West Ham ready to put injury woes behind him
- 10 Documentary will delve into former palace turned home for WWII children
Neighbouring units owned by React 4, which specialises in heating and plumbing engineering, and garage business A1 Services, were part damaged.
Sarah Wheatley, 41, operations manager of React 4, told the WHT: "The area was scorched.
"We were lucky the whole row of buildings didn't go and that we had no smoke damage, or burned interior, just cosmetic damage on the outside.
"It seems this is a crime of the current time, people with nothing to do.
"I'd like to say thank you to the lovely firemen who came and put it out."
Pc Cheryl Johnson said: "This was an extremely dangerous and irresponsible act.
"All four cars have been gutted as a result which, aside from the distress caused, will be extremely inconvenient and costly."
The two teenagers are described as white.
Witnesses should call police on 0845 33 00 222.
