Truck torched by gang at Telford recovery company
A truck belonging to a Telford recovery company was set alight by a gang who had earlier cut the locks on the site’s entrance gate.
The owner of RTC Recovery in Ketley Bank, Telford said the gang of youths torched a parked recovery truck.
He said he now feels intimidated and threatened by the gang.
He said the gang entered the premises between 8pm and 10pm on Tuesday and set fire to one of the parked recovery vehicles.
According to Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, the vehicle was severely damaged and a full investigation will be carried out.
A fire crew from Wellington attended the scene just after 9.40pm, using breathing apparatus, thermal cameras and a jet hose to extinguish the flames.
Business owner Paul Holloway said the gang had visited earlier that day to cut the locks on the site’s entrance gate, allowing them to gain access later that evening.
“We don’t know why they’ve done it, I think people want us to leave the yard,” said Mr Holloway.
He added: “I sometimes stay in our caravan on site.
“What if they’d decided to torch the caravan instead? One of us could have died.
“One of recovery trucks, which was left parked in the yard, is now completely burnt out, we’ve had many other incidents here over the past few months.
“By the time I turned up the fire brigade had already taken control.
“Apparently the fire investigators are coming back to look at it.
“They may also be looking at forensics to find out who cut the gate.
“We’re family-run business and I feel like I’m being threatened to leave Telford.”
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said fire crews used breathing apparatus, a hosereel jet, small gear and a thermal imaging camera to tackle the fire.
