A masked arsonist set fire to and destroyed four vehicles valued at over £80,000 in a shocking incident captured on CCTV. The attacker poured fuel on the cars parked at a forecourt, causing them to erupt in flames late on Sunday night. Each vehicle, worth approximately £20,000, was completely consumed in the inferno, leading the owners to suspect a case of mistaken identity.
The fire at CG Motorland in Leicester was extinguished by the Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, prompting a police investigation into the arson. The owners expressed bewilderment over the motive behind the attack, speculating that it could be a misunderstanding.
A spokesperson for CG Motorland suggested that the perpetrator likely confused their showroom with a nearby car wash, resulting in the mistaken identity. The company lamented the financial impact of the incident, as insurance coverage would only compensate for the trade value, not the final sale price, of the destroyed vehicles.
The site suffered significant damage, with barriers, tarmac, fascia boards, and signage partially melting from the intense heat. Cooperation with authorities is ongoing, and the company appreciates the support of emergency services in responding swiftly to the incident.
Leicestershire Police is probing potential links between this fire and a previous one at a neighboring business. No arrests have been made yet, and anyone with relevant information is urged to contact the police, referencing incident 636 of January 18.