'It was a roaring inferno' - two cars set ablaze in arson attack in Sunderland back lane

Firefighters battled to extinguish two cars which were set on fire in a back lane off Tunstall Vale, Ashbrooke, in the early hours of Sunday, October 25.

One of the cars, a 2014 Volkswagen Polo, belonged to Luke Storey – a 22-year-old who recently set up his own business, LunaTech, after losing his job because of the pandemic.

His partner, Abby Donkin, said: “Someone had smashed the back windows and set the inside of the car on fire.

"The fuel tank exploded, it was just an inferno.

"Luke lost his job because of the lockdown and he decided to set up his own business. Following the vote not to extend free school meals, he decided to give 10% of his revenue during the half-term holidays to Sunderland Food Bank.

"Within 24 hours his car had been destroyed.”

Arsonists smashed the back window of Luke’s car and set the inside on fire as well as alighting the front of a neighbour’s car, which was also parked in the back lane near Ashbrooke Sport Ground.

Northumbria Police has confirmed they are treating the incident as an arson attack and an investigation is ongoing.

“I can’t say enough praise for the fire service, they were there in minutes but there was nothing they could do to save the cars at that point,” added Abby, age 24.

"It was a roaring inferno. It’s lucky no one was hurt. The entire street was filled with smoke and it could have been so much worse.

"It could have spread to people’s homes. People’s lives were at risk.

"There was no reason behind it. The police think it was teenagers but if it is why are they out at after midnight. It’s dangerous not just what they can do but what someone could do to them.

"It’s horrendous but it’s things – it might not be just a thing that gets destroyed next time.”

A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: “Officers and emergency services attended the scene and the fires were extinguished.

“The fires are currently being investigated as arson.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact police quoting reference number 68 25/10/20.”

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