CCTV shows the moment a taxi is engulfed by fireball in arson attack

A Sunderland taxi boss says he hopes his firm is not being deliberately targeted after one of its cars was destroyed in a suspected arson attack.
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The Station Taxis car was torched in the early hours on Sunday, February 21, while it was parked in a Carlton Crescent in East Herrington.

CCTV footage shows a man approaching the vehicle and apparently tampering with its underside before it erupts into flames within a matter of seconds.

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Northumbria Police have confirmed the fire is being treated as deliberate. Enquiries are under way and anyone with any information is being asked to get in touch: “At about 4.50am on Sunday we received a report of a car on fir on Carlton Crescent in East Herrington,” said a spokesperson.

CCTV footage shows the moment the car went up in flamesCCTV footage shows the moment the car went up in flames
CCTV footage shows the moment the car went up in flames

"Emergency services attended the scene and firefighters were able to extinguish the fire.

"The fire is being treated as a malicious ignition and enquiries to identify those responsible are ongoing.”

Firefighters from Farringdon Community Fire Station were called to the scene and extinguished the blaze.

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Station Taxis boss Trevor Hines said he did not know of any motive for the attack and hoped the incident was a one-off.

The car was completely destroyed in the arson attackThe car was completely destroyed in the arson attack
The car was completely destroyed in the arson attack

"I have not got a clue,” he said.

"As far as I am concerned, I hope the company is not being targeted for any reason.

"We are concerned, obviously, but I don’t think we will find out the reason for this unless anybody is caught.”

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact police on 101 quoting log 205 21/02/21.”

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