Telford man's car destroyed in suspected arson attack

A Telford man said he was woken by loud bangs to discover his new top-of-the range car in a ball of flames after a suspected arson attack early today.

Teenager Sammy Wilde said he was woken by the noise outside his home in Mercia Drive, Leegomery, and when he looked out of his window he saw his Audi A3 on fire.

Police today said they were treating the fire as suspicious.

The 19-year-old, an apprentice mechanic at the MoD base in Donnington, said he was now without a car for work.

Mr Wilde said: "I just looked out of the window and it was on fire, I didn't know what to think.

"There were some things inside the car which have been destroyed - including my favourite CDs.

"I'm going to have to bike to work now because the car is a write-off."

Mr Wilde added: "I don't know what I'm going to do now because the insurance company is coming today to take the car away and I don't know how long all of this is going to take.

"I'm optimistic the police will find out who did it."

Chris Ammonds, spokesman for Telford police, said the fire started sometime between 11.45pm yesterday and 12.30am today.

"Unfortunately, although the fire service attended the scene very quickly and dealt with the fire, the car was completely destroyed in this incident," said Mr Ammonds.

"Initial indications app- ear to suggest the fire was started deliberately and therefore police are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen anything suspicious on Mercia Drive last night."

Anyone with information can call Telford police on 0300 3333000 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.