Arson is suspected after an import company was hit by a second fire in six days.

Businessman Trevor Matthews, 50, was said to be "devastated" by the blaze which took hold of an office and warehouse area of Oceancrown International, in Ferry Road, Hullbridge.

Firefighters from Hawkwell, Rayleigh and Hadleigh were called at 5.45am this morning to put out the blaze, which was made up of two different fires in one building.

A number of electric scooters which Mr Matthews imports from China and Korea were destroyed. Rayleigh firefighter Steve James said: "It was a repeat performance of last week. The guy was there with a hose trying to do his bit.

"We took over and put the fire out. It took about an-hour-and-a-half."

Investigators are looking into the incident but they are already treating it as suspicious. Last Friday £500,000 of damage was caused when fire took hold of the same premises. A 1949 MG YA classic car in mint condition was destroyed, along with a large amount of stock and office equipment.

Mr Matthews was launched 10ft across his yard by the force of the fire, while trying in vain to put it out with a garden hose.

An Oceancrown International employee said Mr Matthews was "devastated" and was too upset to speak about what happened.

Published Thursday September 2, 2004

Brought to you by the Evening Echo