A CAR fire next to Tiverton Castle was believed to have been started deliberately, police have confirmed.
Plumes of black smoke were sent into the sky and neighbours were woken by a series of noises following the fire which broke out shortly before midnight on Thursday, September 25.
Dramatic video footage of the fire was captured by neighbour Vincent Wilson, who shot the footage from outside his front door in Park Hill as the fire blazed opposite.
Firefighters from Tiverton and police were called to the scene at one minute to midnight and Vincent began recording the footages just minutes after.
Vincent, 38, a video editor and website designer said: "I first heard some noise outside at about midnight and went to investigate and saw there was a fire across the road. "
After calling the fire brigade he grabbed his mobile phone and recorded footage as the fire and the arrival of the emergency services.
He said the quick response of the crew had prevented fire spreading to the historic Tiverton Castle, a nearby wooden bus shelter and St Peter's Church.
He said; "Even from where I was stood on the other side of the road I could feel the heat from the fire. After it was out, I went and touched my own car which was parked nearby, thankfully it wasn't damaged, but it was still so hot, I couldn't touch the car for more than a second."
He added: "Several neighbours came out to see what was happening, but everyone stayed at a distance, because we could hear all these small bangs and we were worried the engine was going to explode."
Fortunately no one was injured, but Vincent said one neighbour's car had been damaged by heat, in addition to the convertible Peugeot which police and fire crews believe was deliberately set on fire.
Crews used breathing apparatus, a hose reel jet and a thermal imaging camera to assist in extinguishing the blaze but the vehicle was damaged beyond repair.
Police confirmed to the Gazette they were treated the fire as suspicious.
A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said: "Sometime between 11.50pm and midnight, the offender appears to have smashed the side window of a Peugeot parked in the Park Hill area and set light to an object and thrown it into the vehicle.
"We have traced the owner of the vehicle and are keen to speak to anyone who may have information or may have witnessed the incident."
The officer dealing with enquiries into the fire is PC Ella Penwill, who can be contacted on non-emergency number 101 quoting ref 109/556/14.
