Firm faces £½m arson attack bill
Mar 18 2008 by Neil McKay, The Journal
THE boss of a family coach firm spoke of her “utter devastation” last night after arsonists caused more than half a million pounds damage to her vehicles.
A fire completely burned out two Roberts Travel coaches at the firm’s depot in Wingate, east Durham, early yesterday, while eight others were damaged by smoke and vandalism.
Carol Harper, 44, who runs the business with her brothers Geoff and David Roberts, said: “To say we are utterly devastated is an under-statement. Everything we have worked for has gone up in smoke overnight.”
Fire crews were alerted to the blaze in the coach depot off North Road, Wingate, shortly after midnight yesterday.
On arrival emergency services found a wooden garage well alight.
Fire officers had to cordon off the area as acetylene containers were in danger of exploding.
Fire service district manager Michael Pearson said: “The blaze completely destroyed the wooden roof of the garage and two coaches. Others were also damaged.
“The cause of the fire is being investigated. Our crews could not go into tackle it because of the danger of the cylinders exploding, they had to stay back and dampen it down.”
Mrs Harper, whose grandfather Richard Roberts started the business more than 70 years ago, said: “As well as burning our coaches the intruders smashed windows in others.
“This fire was started deliberately and I only hope the police catch those responsible. We have a workforce second to none and our seven drivers stood side by side with us early this morning while the fire crews tackled the blaze.
“All of us have worked hard to build up this business and we won’t let these idiots destroy it, although it will not be easy to continue.”
Mrs Harper, whose company ferries local schoolchildren as well as running coach charters, said: “Only one of our 11 coaches escaped undamaged because it was not in the garage, it was being used elsewhere.
“Other coach operators, including one from as far away as Skelton, south of Middlesbrough, have offered to help us to carry on by loaning us their vehicles, which was a wonderful gesture.”
Police are appealing for anyone with any information about the fire to contact them on 0845 6060365 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
