Young joyriders were today thought to be responsible for stealing a car and setting it alight in the middle of a Canvey field.

Wreck - the burned out car Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

Firefighters believe the Fiesta had been burning for up to half an hour before they arrived at the land owned by the Waterside Farm Sports Centre.

Because the field was so soft after the bad weather, the fire crew couldn't get their engine close to the blaze. So they ran a hose 200 yards to the burning car from the Church Parade entrance.

Sub-officer Martin Roebuck said: "Those responsible had driven the car in circles around the field before leaving it to burn right in the middle.

"Two tyres exploded and it took us 15 minutes to put the fire out when we finally got to it."

Published Wednesday, January 15, 2003

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