Two arrested after vehicles set alight across Gainsborough

Why it matters: The attacks targeted vehicles at four separate locations, causing significant damage to the cars and vans as well as affecting nearby buildings, forcing emergency services to evacuate some residents for safety.

The details: Police were called by Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service at 22:50 on Thursday, 25 September, to reports of multiple vehicle fires across Gainsborough. The incidents involved:

• Two vehicles in the car park at Piper's Vale Academy on Raeburn Road
• A car at the junction of Landseer Road and Clapgate Lane
• A transit van on Landseer Road
• A minibus in the car park at Gainsborough Sports Centre on Brazier's Wood Road

All vehicles were parked and unoccupied when set alight. Emergency services extinguished the fires, but all vehicles sustained significant damage and adjacent buildings were also affected.

What happened next: Some properties near the fires were evacuated as a precaution, and road closures were put in place, though these have now reopened. Police scenes remain in place at each location.

At approximately 02:30 this morning, Friday, 26 September, police arrested two males on suspicion of causing arson with intent to endanger life. The suspects have been taken to Martlesham Police Investigation Centre for questioning.

The bottom line: No injuries have been reported, but the deliberate targeting of multiple vehicles across different locations prompted a significant emergency response and ongoing police investigation. The motivation behind the attacks remains unclear, but police at the scene indicated there is no ongoing threat and these were isolated incidents.

Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to contact Suffolk CID at Landmark House, quoting crime reference number 37/54427/25, via their website at suffolk.police.uk/tell-us, by calling 101, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.