POLICE are treating a fire at Teignmouth allotments as ‘suspected arson’ and a county councillor has offered a reward to catch those responsible.

Five sheds were completely destroyed in the fire at Teignmouth allotments early on Saturday morning, which Fire Control describes being of ‘doubtful origin’.

Fire crews from Teignmouth were sent to reports of a fire in the allotments at the rear of Kingsway shortly after 4.30am. The crews reported three large separate fires in allotments which were well alight.

A Fire Control spokesman said: ‘Crews got to work with two hose reel jets and requested an additional two fire appliances to attend which were mobilised from Dawlish and Torquay.  

‘At 05:06 – Crews confirmed four sheds within the allotment were well alight, one gas cylinder was also confirmed in one of the sheds. One hosereel, two jets and small tools were in use.  

‘At 05:33 ­ crews confirmed three fires over two locations involving four sheds now under control – a water relay in was in use for one location.

‘Petrol cannisters and gas cylinders were nvolved in fire but now under control and monitored. Two hosereel jets, two main jets, two thermal image cameras and one hydrant were in use. 

‘Fire believed to be of doubtful origin – Police requested to attend.

A police spokesman said: ‘Police have been informed of an incident of suspected arson at allotments on Broadmeadow Lane in Teignmouth.

‘The incident is believed to have taken place at around 4.30am on Saturday, July 17, and items including two shed are have been seriously damaged as a result of fire.’

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting CR/060169/21.

County, district and town councillor, David Cox, posted on Facebook: ‘Very, very sad. Thank you to our brave firefighters who put the blaze out.

‘I will give a reward for information about the perpetrators.

‘I have offered the Allotment Association a grant from my community fund to help deal with the damage,’ he added.

‘It’s all down to them really. I’m just the custodian of the place,’ he said modestly.