Plea over Sidmouth toilet arson

Two loo blazes in a week

ARSONISTS who target toilets have sparked a plea for Sidmouth residents to remain vigilant after firefighters raced to two loo blazes in a week.

Portable conveniences at Core Hill were engulfed in flames last Thursday, July 28.

Crew members from the town donned breathing apparatus and used a thermal imaging camera and hose reel jet to tackle the blaze at around 5pm.

Police also attended the scene. The loos suffered extensive damage.

Just days before, ladies’ loos at the Three Cornered Plot were left shut for three hours after culprits packed paper towels into a basin and bin before setting them alight.

Town firefighters raced to the toilets at around 6.40pm after onlookers saw smoke on July 22.

The premises suffered smoke damage.

Last Thursday’s second deliberate fire within a week in toilets in Sidmouth led to fire officers asking members of the public to be attentive.

Police and the fire service are jointly investigating both incidents.

Station Manager Nigel Deasy, of Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, said: “These incidents are causing us some concern, particularly as FolkWeek started.

“Fortunately, these fires were extinguished quickly, but any fire can spread out of control very quickly. The person, or people, responsible are not only putting themselves at risk but others passing by.”

Anyone with information about the incidents has been urged to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.