Arson fears mount after resident has to tackle hedge blaze
phillip.norris@reachplc.com
THIS is the moment a man stood on his garden shed as flames roared just inches from him. Mark Consterdine, 56, said he acted to stop the fire spreading to neighbouring houses on his Cheltenham estate in Up Hatherley on Thursday night.
He used a hose to start putting out the flames before Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service arrived at his address in Broad Oak Way, together with police.
Thanks to Mr Consterdine and the firefighters, the fire that was started in the conifer hedge did not spread to his neighbours’ houses or his shed.
It is the second fire at his house in a week as another part of the hedge was targeted by an arsonist last Thursday as well.
This latest fire comes after reports of other fires in the Up Hatherley area, including in wooded areas and near the Morrisons supermarket.
Mr Consterdine said of his efforts last Thursday night: “I did it to stop it spreading, I had to douse the flames. If I didn’t, houses could have been next. I got a couple of burns, but I’m okay.”
Mr Consterdine said he had seen someone in a grey hoodie running away from his house and he then went to investigate when he saw the huge flames.
The shed is in the back garden of his house and runs alongside an alley from Caernarvon Road.
Neighbours John and Ann-marie Nixon told Mr Consterdine to get off the shed and helped him to tackle the fire.
Firefighters and police officers were at the scene tonight, speaking to residents about the various fire incidents in the area.
Mr Nixon said: “It’s terrifying. Someone is going to get killed. These fires are getting more serious.”
A spokesperson for Gloucestershire Fire Service said at the time of the incident: “We are currently attending a hedge fire, we were called at 7:38 this evening.
“Two appliances from Cheltenham are in attendance.”
I had to douse the flames. If I didn’t, houses could have been next Mark Consterdine