Arsonists torch vintage tractors in barn blaze
A SUSPICIOUS barn fire in East Devon which destroyed three vintage tractors worth £35,000 is being treated as arson.
On April 11, emergency services were called to the barn fire off Seaton Road, Southleigh, at around 10.04pm.
A spokesperson for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said the fire was confirmed to have been started deliberately.
Police have confirmed that they are treating the fire as arson and they are appealing for further information.
A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: “Police investigating a suspicious barn fire near Southleigh, Colyton, in which three vintage tractors worth £35,000 were destroyed, are appealing for witnesses.
“It is believed the fire was started deliberately between 8pm and 10pm, on Sunday, April 11, at Wiscombe Farm, Seaton Road, Colyton.
“The owner of the tractors had checked the barn at about 8pm, and it was locked and secured, but the barn was found to be well alight at about 10pm that night.
“Three antique tractors, worth more than £35,000, which were stored in the barn, were completely destroyed in the blaze. It is believed an attempt was made to take the tractors but when that failed, the barn was set alight,” the spokesperson added. “Police are calling on anyone who was travelling along the road at around the time of the fire and may have seen anything suspicious, people or cars around this location, to come forward.’’
You can email police at 101@dc. police.uk or call 101, quoting crime reference CR/028674/21.