An arson attack destroyed two newly built homes in St Ives, Cambridgeshire, last night.
“The homes have been severely damaged,” said a spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Police.
The homes are being built at The How, Houghton Road, and police both were well alight when fire crews arrived.
Fire at St Ives Cambridgeshire last night that destroyed two newly built homes. There are no casualties. Video provided by Gustaw Rakoczy for @CambsNewsOnline pic.twitter.com/4EYdyDYfWS
— John Elworthy (@johnelworthy) October 7, 2023
Nearby roads were closed due to the thickness of the smoke in the area.
Police are working closely with fire service investigators after fire destroyed two new homes in St Ives in an arson attack. PHOTO: Terry Harris
“We are working closely with fire service investigators, who this morning concluded the cause was arson,” said the spokesperson.
“The scene has been cordoned off and a police presence remains in the area today.”
Detective Inspector Nicola Lamport said: “This fire has caused a considerable amount of damage and while there is no estimate on the cost at this time, two new-build properties have been destroyed, meaning it will likely be hundreds of thousands of pounds.
“There was also inconvenience for local people with the smoke and the resulting road closure.
“We are treating the fire as arson, so I am keen to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time and noticed anything at all suspicious.”
Anyone with information should report it to police online or call 101 and quote incident number 585 of 6 October.
