Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
DEVASTATED
Arson attack on beauty spot
A “devastating” arson attack has destroyed a £65,000 boardwalk and a section of grass at a popular wetland.
The fire began at Hambrook Marshes, Canterbury, in the early hours of Friday. Three fire engines and an all-terrain vehicle rushed to the scene just after 3.30am. Fire crews discovered a board walk and a 100m-long stretch of grass ablaze, and fought for several hours to bring the flames under control. Michael Water, a trustee of charity Love Hambrook Marshes which runs the site, says 80% of the boardwalk has been completely destroyed by the fire, which is being treated as suspicious.
“I was astounded,” he said. “It’s just gone. The boardwalk is completely razed to the ground. It’s flat ground, with a crud of plastic ash on top.” The boardwalk, primarily made of recycled plastic, cost £65,000 when it was installed in 2011. It provided a popular route over the boggy marshland, from which aquatic plants and wildlife could be spotted.
Mr Water said: “You can’t have the sensation of walking on water any longer, but the wildlife is still there. I was standing looking at the desolation yesterday and a kingfisher landed right there.” Trustees are stumped as to who may have started the blaze. “We can’t really understand what’s happened,” said Mr Water. “It seems vindictive, but as to ‘why’ I don’t know. I can’t imagine anyone deliberately going out at that time, in fairly miserable weather, to set light to it - it baffles me.”
The Environment Agency’s preliminary analysis reportedly found there has been no water contamination. Love Hambrook Marshes trustees have not yet decided whether the boardwalk will be replaced.
“£65,000 10 years ago - it’s going to be more than that now,” said Mr Water. “It’s a huge sum, and would have the risk the same thing could happen again.”
Police are investigating. Anyone with any information is asked to contact them on 01843 222289, quoting reference 46/28441/20.