A blaze which wrecked a key building forming part of a Chelmsford garage is being treated as arson.

Firefighters arrived at Boyton Cross Motors to the sound of gas cylinders exploding and lumps of shrapnel flying through the air.

Now a police and fire investigation has been launched after the building, containing thousands of pounds worth of equipment and tachograph measurement technology, was engulfed on Sunday night.

The fire at Boyton Cross Motors was spotted by a passing driver around 11.30pm and fire crews from Chelmsford, Great Baddow, Braintree and Leaden Roding were sent to the scene.

Community commander Mark Hardingham of Chelmsford Fire Station said: "It was well alight and the roof was already beginning to go when crews got there. There were around six gas cylinders but some did not explode they just went football shaped.

"Luckily somebody passing saw the red of the flames through a partially raised shutter."

A lorry and a Transit belonging to customers which were in the building in the centre of the complex on the main A1060 Road to Hatfield Heath were destroyed as well as the tachograph centre.

Anyone with information should contact police on 01245 491212.

Boyton Cross Motors proprietor Mr Jay Verdee said the damage was a serious blow and the cost was still being assessed. He hoped the tachograph department would be out of action for no more than a couple of months.

Published Thursday October 24, 2002