Spate of Telford car fires continues with seventh in a matter of weeks

It happened in Dawley Road, Arleston, at around 1am, and is the seventh car fire in the Telford and Wrekin area in recent weeks following a spate of six in 10 days.

The latest fire is being treated as suspected arson.

A Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "At 1.05am on Tuesday, January 18, SFRS Fire Control received a call reporting a car fire in Telford.

"One saloon vehicle involved on driveway of property. Fire crews used two breathing apparatus and two hose reel jets to extinguish fire. Crews also used one thermal image camera to check exterior of property. Police were in attendance.

"One fire appliance was mobilised from Wellington. A fire investigation officer was in attendance."

A West Mercia Police spokesperson said: "We were called to Dawley Road in Wellington at around 1am following reports of a car fire, which we believe to be the result of arson and are carrying out investigations into the incident.

"If anyone has any information regarding the fire please they can report this online under the Tell Us About section of our website."

The force has said the previous six fires are not believed to be linked.

The last car fire in the borough took place at The Smithfields, Newport, on January 8, where a luxury Mercedes was ablaze.

The previous Thursday night, a car was "deliberately" set on fire in Barnes Corner, Leegomery.

On Sunday, January 2, there was a car fire outside the Whitehouse Hotel in Wellington. Far-right activist Tommy Robinson claimed on social media that it was his car that was blown up in a petrol bomb attack.

Three days earlier, crews dealt with fires where flames spread from cars to buildings in Merlin Coppice and Thornton Park Lane. Both were being treated as arson but were not believed to be linked.

And on December 28, there was another fire in Glendale area of Lawley Village. Fire investigators were looking into the cause of the blaze.