Arson suspected as Wedmore caravan destroyed in late-night blaze (From This is The West Country)

Arson suspected as Wedmore caravan destroyed in late-night blaze

7:30pm Friday 6th July 2012 in News

A MAN has spoken of his shock after his mobile home near Burnham was destroyed in a suspected arson attack.

Richard Nicholls was out with friends on Monday night (July 2) when he received a call from his daughter to say there had been an explosion.

Firefighters from Cheddar and Bridgwater were called to the scene, in Crickham, near Wedmore, at about 11pm and found the building well alight.

Mr Nicholls told the Weekly News: “My daughter was in the house next door and she heard an explosion. She rang me and said I had to come back.

“When I saw it I was obviously very shocked. It was pretty well burnt out by then – it was like an inferno.”

Mr Nicholls said he did not have many possessions inside the mobile home, apart from three pieces of furniture.

But he added: “I don’t know what I’m going to do now. It’s not insured, so it’s a complete loss.”

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said there were cylinders inside the mobile home.

A spokesman said: “One main jet and one hose reel jet were used to extinguish the fire and a thermal image camera used to check for hotspots.

“The cylinders were removed to a safe area and electrics isolated. The caravan was destroyed by fire.”

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesman said: “The fire was confirmed as suspicious on Tuesday morning following an examination of the scene by a fire investigator and crime scene investigators.

“A 26-year-old man from Bridgwater was arrested on suspicion of arson. He has been released on bail.”