MASKED MEN SET FIRE TO CAR AT STORE
Attack witnessed by girl in mum’s vehicle
POLICE are investigating after two masked men set a car on fire at a supermarket.
The men reportedly threw an accelerant over the silver vehicle before setting it alight outside Asda in Leek.
The incident took place at 1pm on Monday while the Springfield Road store – which is directly opposite Leek High School – was busy with customers.
The two men, who were wearing what is described as Halloween masks, were seen running off towards Buxton Road.
One horrified mum told how she came out of the store to see the car ablaze just a few feet away from where her 10-year-old daughter was waiting in her own vehicle.
The woman, who did not want to be named, said: “My daughter had been sent home from school ill so she waited in the car while I quickly nipped into Asda to get some Calpol for her.
“I was only a couple of minutes but when I came out a car parked close by was fully on fire. Black smoke was coming from it.
“I ran to my car and reversed as far away from it as I could. It was so scary.
“My daughter said she saw two men in rubber face masks, with hoods up, come around the back of our car.
“They had a fluid which they poured all over the car and set it on fire. She said they saw her sitting in our car but they still carried on.
“I must have come out of Asda just after it happened.”
The flames spread to an overhanging hedge and were dangerously close to neighbouring homes on Springfield Court.
Witnesses said firefighters from nearby Leek Fire Station were in Asda at the time buying their lunch, so the fire was quickly brought under control.
The mum, whose daughter has given a statement to police, said: “It’s scary thinking what could have happened.
I just kept thinking it was going to explode. There were lots of people around and other cars on the car park. It was madness.”
An announcement was made over the store tannoy asking customers to remain inside while the fire was dealt with, to ensure their safety.
It is believed the car belonged to an Asda staff member.
A police spokesman said: “We are appealing for witnesses and dash cam footage.”