Second fire attack leaves horse rescue charity devastated
A stable block belonging to an animal welfare charity has been burnt down in a second arson attack in the space of a week.
The Kent Messenger last week reported how Pukka Ponies had been targeted in a suspected deliberate attack.
This week a blaze started in the stable at the charity’s field in Dean Street, East Farleigh, at about 9.30pm on Saturday.
There were no horses in the stables at the time.
Sarah Daniell, who runs the stables, which rescues abandoned horses and ponies, broke the news to her supporters on Facebook.
She said: “Beyond devastated. Literally no words, total shock.
“Cowardly scum came back, torched the stables this time. Game over. You win. Horses are unharmed thank god.”
A fire service spokesman said by the time crews arrived on Saturday night the building was well alight.
The spokesman said: “Due to the structure having already suffered extensive damage at the time of crews’ arrival, the stable was allowed to burn under controlled conditions.”
Firefighters left just before 11pm, leaving it with the owner.
It came days after a storage shed was torched the previous weekend.
The fire destroyed equipment worth hundreds of pounds, including feed and CCTV cameras installed last year after a series of thefts.
Ms Daniell said the remaining building would be removed from the field before it too is targeted.
Pukka Ponies is attempting to find temporary homes for its rescue animals while it searches for a new site near Maidstone.
A police spokesman said officers were investigating.
Anyone with information can call police on 01622 604100 quoting crime reference YY/025952/16, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.