COUNTY NEWS: Residential arson blaze destroys phone cable

A phone cable and hedges were destroyed outside people's homes in a fire that police are treating as arson.
Firefighters tackled the blaze in Franklin Road in Durrington. Picture: Jeff BakerFirefighters tackled the blaze in Franklin Road in Durrington. Picture: Jeff Baker
Firefighters tackled the blaze in Franklin Road in Durrington. Picture: Jeff Baker

West Sussex Fire and Rescue service was called by several residents of Franklin Road in Durrington, Worthing, yesterday to report a fire outside one of their houses.

A crew was sent at 5.50pm to tackle the blaze, which was extinguished by 6.15pm. Ten metres of hedgerow was destroyed by the blaze, as well as a BT phone cable nearby, but no injuries were reported by the fire service.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Jeff Baker lives opposite where the fire happened, and took these pictures of the blaze.

The fire in Franklin Road in Durrington. Picture: Jeff BakerThe fire in Franklin Road in Durrington. Picture: Jeff Baker
The fire in Franklin Road in Durrington. Picture: Jeff Baker

The 34-year-old said he was driving along the A27 after a day out with his family when he saw a large plume of smoke coming from the area of their house.

He said that as they pulled into the road, he could see flames above the houses and a neighbour trying to put out the fire with their garden hose.

“At first I was trying to judge where the smoke was coming from,” he said. “I was quite surprised at how close it actually was.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A Sussex Police spokesman confirmed it was being treated as arson, and that PSCOs were due to speak to residents today.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.