A CARAVAN parked in Fishponds has been burned out in a suspected arson attack.
The vehicle was one of dozens parked alongside Goodneston Road alongside the former Graphic Packaging International factory, which has been demolished to make way for housing.
Police say they were called along with firefighters at about 5.40pm yesterday.
A spokesperson said no-one was in the caravan at the time of the fire, which also caused extensive damage to the back of another caravan parked next to it.
The spokesperson added: “Nobody was physically harmed in the incident, and we suspect the fire was started deliberately.
“A cordon remains in place, and CCTV and house-to-house enquiries have been carried out, and crime scene investigators have attended, while investigations continue.”
Fire also badly damaged the rear of a caravan parked next to the one targeted by arsonists
Police neighbourhood inspector Richard Jones said: “We are aware of recent incidents on this stretch of road, and we are now working with partner agencies to improve the area.
“While we are not linking this incident to others recently, reassurance patrols will be carried out, and we are now appealing for witnesses and anybody with information to come forward.”
Anyone with information about the incident should call 101 and quote the crime reference number 5226 003 914.
Call for video footage
Police are particularly keen to hear from anyone who has CCTV, dashcam, or doorbell footage from immediately before and after the incident.
Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.
Gas cylinders seared by the fire could be seen among the remains of the damaged caravan
About 30 vans and caravans used as homes have been in Goodneston Road since last summer, although a smaller number had parked in the road for some years before that.
Today some of the vans which arrived last summer had gone.
More than 100 complaints have been made on the council’s Fix My Street website about problems including human waste, fly-tipping, syringes and abandoned caravans in Goodneston Road.
Most blamed the van dwellers, with some people also reporting antisocial behaviour and drug dealing on the road.
However, one complaint about fly-tipping was made by someone who lives in a caravan, who said people from neighbouring roads were “dumping their waste here to make us look bad”.
Hillfields ward councillors Ellie King and Kelvin Blake have called on the city council to start legal moves to remove the caravans and vans.