Devon and Cornwall Police are investigating a ‘suspicious’ car fire after a vehicle was torched and abandoned near Dartmoor last night (January 14), causing ‘100% damage’, according to fire crews who tackled the blaze.
The incident was reported shortly before 7.20pm on Tuesday evening, with Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue called to reports of the burning vehicle in a field near Okehampton, on the edge of Dartmoor National Park.
The fire service said the car was “100% damaged”, and that the cause of the blaze was believed to be deliberate. And now, a police spokesperson has said: “Police are investigating a suspicious car fire near Whiddon Down yesterday, 14 January.
“The car was located on fire in a field off the A3124 around 7.20pm. Officers and the fire service attended. The vehicle, thought to be a Honda CR-V, was completely destroyed by fire. Recovery is on scene this morning, 15 January.
“Police are currently treating the incident as suspicious and appealing for any witnesses, or anyone with information, to get in touch, either online or by telephone on 101, quoting reference 50250010797.”
Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service added: “Fire Control received calls reporting a car on fire in a field, and mobilised one appliance from Chagford. On arrival, crews confirmed one car abandoned in a field was fully involved in fire, and requested a second appliance to attend for additional water, which was mobilised from Okehampton.
“The car was 100% damaged by fire, and crews used two breathing apparatus and one compressed air foam jet to extinguish the fire, which was believed to have been started deliberately.”
You can read our live blog on the incident here.