Arsonists are believed to have started a blaze which gutted five warehouses in Hadleigh.

Firefighters wearing breathing equipment battled with the flames through the night and were still hosing down the barns at 10am the following morning.

Officers in seven appliances rushed to the Wisbey Potato Merchants at 6.30pm on Friday. The fire is being treated as Arson. Yesterday (Monday), fire experts were sifting through the debris for clues.

Owners Eddie and Bruce Wisbey, who have been operating from the premises in Poors Lane for 36 years, said they were devastated by the damage.

Eddie, who lives in Western Road, Rayleigh, said: "I cannot put a figure on the damage that has been done, but it will be a lot of money. I expect it will run into seven figures.

"I have been trying to get hold of the insurance people. I am just hoping we are fully covered. It is just shocking, my brother and I are devastated by this.

"We only left work at half past five and an hour later we heard the windscreen of a lorry had been smashed and the barns were on fire."

Everything stored in the warehouses at the potato grading station was destroyed, including machinery and stores of potatoes.

His brother, Bruce, of Barling Road, Barling, added: "I just couldn't believe it."

Heartbreak - Bruce Wisbey surveys the damage after the blaze

Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

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