Police continue to quiz man in connection with Oxfordshire arson spree

A 47-YEAR-OLD is still being questioned in connection with three fires in Oxfordshire, which saw a car crash into a council building moments before it burst into flames.

It is understood the council building was set ablaze in the early hours of the morning SKY

The council building and cottage that have been burnt down in a suspected arson attack

The suspect has been held by Thames Valley Police in connection with the blazes at a council office, a thatched house and a funeral home.

All three fires were reported within the space of ten minutes early yesterday morning.

Firefighters battled the major fires amid reports that a car transporting gas canisters crashed into the foyer of the one of the sites.

An army bomb disposal team was also called to help ensure the safety of some sites in south Oxfordshire.Firefighters battled the major fires amid reports that a car transporting gas canisters crashed into the foyer of the one of the sites.

An army bomb disposal team has been called to help ensure the safety of some sites in south Oxfordshire.

Gas canisters were recovered at the location of all three fires, police have confirmed.

Superintendent Andy Boyd, of Thames Valley Police, told a press conference yesterday that an 80-year-old woman managed to escape the blaze at the thatched house.

We believe it to be the result of arson, though that's not clear at the moment

John Cotton, South Oxfordshire Council leader

Mr Boyd added that gas canisters were found at the home of the 47-year-old suspect as well as at a second address in Roke during police searches.

A police statement reas: "At this stage the police investigation is focusing on all three fires being linked and they are believed to be suspicious.

"It is believed that a vehicle collided with the South Oxfordshire District Council building prior to the fire.

"There are cordons in place at all three locations and residents and motorists are asked to avoid these areas.

"Nobody has been reported injured at this time as a result of these fires; however, following these fires the structures of the buildings affected are being examined for safety."

It is understood the offices of South Oxfordshire District Council, which houses more than 400 staff, was set ablaze shortly after 3am this morning.

An eyewitness reported seeing a burnt-out vehicle in the foyer of the fire-ravaged council offices.

The fires in all three of the south Oxfordshire locations are now under control, chief fire officer for the county David Etheridge confirmed.

The Benson Lane District Council headquarters is home to two-thirds of the Vale of the White Horse District Council's staff.

Some staff are now being rehoused by the Oxfordshire County Council at Abbey House in Abingdon where some 60 desks have been freed up.

Council services are expected to be affected.

An eyewitness to the council building blaze said PA

An eyewitness to the council building blaze said "there's going to be nothing left of it"

Thames Valley Police confirmed it was on the scene of the fires alongside the fire service PA

Thames Valley Police confirmed it was on the scene of the fires alongside the fire service

Daylight revealed the state of just some of the damage in Crowmarsh Gifford, Oxfordshire IG

Daylight revealed the state of just some of the damage in Crowmarsh Gifford, Oxfordshire

The headquarters is also home to two-thirds of the Vale of the White Horse District Council staff IG

The headquarters is also home to two-thirds of the Vale of the White Horse District Council staff

John Cotton, council leader, told the BBC: "We believe it to be the result of arson, though that's not clear at the moment."

Mr Cotton revealed: "At the moment we're putting together our contingency plans to keep the services running.

"We have a lot of people there during the day, but happily overnight there's no one there so as far as I know there are no injuries."

A taxi driver who passed the scene of the fire told BBC Radio Oxford: "The entire top level of the building is ablaze, there's going to be nothing left of it."

Firefighters are also tackling two more major fires at a thatched home and local funeral parlour – both reported within minutes of the council office blaze.

More than 100 firefighters from some 27 crews are currently hosing the three sites to eliminate the possibility of a fire rekindling.

Neil Cox, 73, told the Oxford Mail: "I live right next to the funeral home and at about 3.15am I heard a noise so I came out and saw a car drive away quickly, down into the council building.

"The offices of the funeral home were on fire, so I phoned the owner, Howard, called the fire service and we tried putting it out with fire extinguishers.

"My understanding is they broke the window in the front door, popped the cap off a gas canister and threw a match in there."

The latest images of the  council building in Crowmarsh Gifford, Oxfordshire reveal charred supports and piles of smouldering ash.

Police believe nobody was injured in the 'arson attack'.

Firefighters are also tackling another major fire at a thatched home, pictured IG

Firefighters are also tackling another major fire at a thatched home, pictured

It is believed the three 'arson attacks' are all connected IG

It is believed the three 'arson attacks' are all connected

David Etheridge, chief fire officer for Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We are in the process of dealing with three major fires in South Oxfordshire, which occurred within a very short timeframe.

"These are ongoing incidents and our firefighters are working hard to get the fires under control, with assistance from neighbouring fire and rescue services at the South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Council office fire.

"At this stage I am unable to state what the causes of the fires were - this matter is currently in the hands of Thames Valley Police, with whom we are working in conjunction."

  • Anyone with information is urged to contact Thames Valley Police or call CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

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