Dorset’s peaceful streets now resemble a “war zone” after at least 12 cars were allegedly set ablaze in an arson attack.
The fire-starting rampage, which took place between one and three in the morning on Monday, specifically targeted the communities of Broadstone, Wimbourne, and Merley.
On a motorbike, a gang is thought to have driven from street to street before dousing random vehicles in accelerant. It is also claimed that one property was impacted.
Between 11.30 p.m. and 2.30 a.m., scores of calls from terrified locals flooded the emergency services.
One eye witness, Grant Stewart, described the scene as a ‘warzone’.
‘I was woken up by a bang and thought it was a car crash, looked out the window to see an orange glow and people running around,’ the 33-year-old builder said.
‘I went out to find it was like a warzone with three cars ablaze and bangs going off.’
Darren Trickett woke up to find his Land Rover Discovery ablaze.
‘I woke up when I heard a bang, I didn’t know what was happening.
‘I looked out of the window and saw my car in flames. I was worried the engine might explode.’
Chloe Torring, a hairdresser from Wimbourne, told how she was in ‘complete shock and disbelief’ after her Nissan car was destroyed.
‘I was woken up by my neighbour ringing my doorbell to tell me my car is on fire,’ the 25-year-old said.
‘It is heart-wrenching to think someone would do such a horrible thing, for no good reason.
‘My car is completely destroyed. The engine is on the floor, I have no front half of my car – there’s just charcoal inside.’
Another witness, Poppy Baker, 57, said the heat from the fires caused the paint on her front door to melt.
Kayleigh Humphries, 33, added: ‘I thought there had been a car accident because I heard a massive bang.
‘When I came outside I saw two cars engulfed in flames and then looked further up the road and saw another two on fire.
‘The night sky was just glowing orange all around. It’s a war zone out there today, there are so many burnt out cars.’
Dorset Police, supported by the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, have now launched an investigation to identify who is responsible.
Anyone who has information or saw any suspicious activity is urged to come forward.
Officers are also asking people with home CCTV or a dashcam to check their footage.
The locations with reported incidents are Wentworth Drive, Oakley Hill, Oakley Road, Merley Ways, Stour Walk, New Borough Road, Grove Road and Leigh Road.
Detective Sergeant Simon Austin, of County CID, said: ‘These incidents have affected a large number of victims in the wider Wimborne area and we are aware that this will cause concern.
‘I would like to reassure our local communities that officers are currently investigating all reported incidents and are making every effort to identify those responsible.
‘People will see visible police activity as officers are making house-to-house and CCTV enquiries.’
Additional neighbourhood officers will be patrolling the area and can be approached for advice and support.