Flames ripped through a boatyard early today after arsonists started a potentially devastating blaze in a speedboat.
Firefighters described a red glow lighting up the sky when they arrived at Shuttlewood Boatyard, Waterside Road, Pagglesham.
Seven crews braved the threat of exploding gas cylinders as the blaze spread into the boatyard and quickly tore through offices and workshops.
Sparks flew as firefighters were unable to get to the middle of the yard to turn off the electricity.
The owners of the boat arrived and attempted to move it, but had to be stopped by firefighters who insisted it was too dangerous, as a wall within the yard started to collapse.
Firefighters were still damping down the blaze today.
Station officer Peter Bennett of Southend fire and rescue, said:"The fire is being treated as suspicious and an fire investigation will be carried out today, involving the police."
Nick Barke, co-owner of the boatyard, said: "It's going to cost several hundred thousand pounds to replace everything but we are not going to let this affect business."
Published Friday, May 2, 2003
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