91-year-old ‘heartbroken’ after arsonist targets her beloved hedgerow

The hedge outside the home was destroyed and family say the homeowner is heartbroken.

The hedgerow was destroyed in the blaze. Photo: SWNS

Posting on Facebook, her grandson said: ‘”Someone thought it would be funny to set fire to my Grandma’s conifer bushes at the front of her house.

“Grandma is 91 years old and loves her garden and the trees were put in by my Gramp 62 years ago and she is heartbroken to say the least.”

Wiltshire Police said it has launched an investigation into the incident which is being treated as arson.

A force spokesperson said: “Shortly before 9pm on Saturday we were called by the fire service regarding an incident in Lady Mead, Cricklade, where a hedge was on fire.

“It is believed that the fire was started deliberately, and then spread to some wooden planks on a nearby garage.

“Thankfully nobody was injured but we are carrying out enquiries, including speaking to people living in the area who may have witnessed anything suspicious.

“Anyone with information should call 101, quoting crime reference 54220041499. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.”

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service sent four fire engines to battle the flames, which were extinguished before they could spread to the property.

A fire service spokesperson said: “At 8.43pm on Saturday night, we were called to Lady Mead, Cricklade following reports of a property fire.

“Crews from Swindon, Stratton, Cirencester and Tetbury attended the incident which involved the garage roof of a two storey property, and a further fire in the hedgerow of another property.

“Two breathing apparatus wearers used hose reel jets to extinguish the garage roof and the hedge fire was extinguished using a single hose reel jet.”