RESIDENTS have said they are living in fear after a suspected spate of deliberate fires on vehicles.
In the space of just one month, two vans, a car and a bin have been torched in Princess Road, Branksome - the charred remains of which remain in the road.
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said firefighters are still investigating a cause, while Dorset Police said anybody with concerns can approach officers.
Craig Aston, who has his own business C Aston Plastering, said he has “had enough” of the fires and said they cannot be a coincidence.
The 32-year-old said: “I don’t feel safe in this road anymore; if my van goes up in flames like all the others, that’s my livelihood gone.
“I’ve lived here for six years now and it has never been as bad as this, it’s getting dangerous.”
Asked if he believes the fires are a coincidence or not, Craig said: “This is nowhere near a coincidence. What I don’t understand is why start with a bin and then set fire to the vans?
“It must be kids doing this, surely. There are children walking this road, I regularly walk my dog down there.
“My concern is they are going to be injured walking on the debris left, because the council has still – one month later – not swept any of it up.”
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On a visit by the Echo, smash glass remains scattered on the road, the remains of tyres engrained on the tarmac and ashes piled against the kerb.
The plasterer said there is a simple solution to help in the fight against the fires: “Princess Road is a straight road and there are three ways to get in and leave.
“If you install cameras there, you’ll catch everybody entering the road and find who is doing this.”
Resident Gracz Misiek saw a van on fire: “I heard loud banging from the street. I went outside and a van was on fire.
“After extinguishing the flames the firefighters cut their way into it, and one told me that there were tools still burning inside.”
Meanwhile, resident Glen said people have “lost all respect”, and added: “It is happening all too often these days.
"The other day a bunch of kids ran out of the arcade [in Westbourne] looking like they were up to no good.
“There have been a few vehicle fires here lately. I don’t know if they are all linked, but what I’m saying is it’s not a coincidence.”
Ward councillor Matt Gillett said he paid a visit to Princess Road on Friday morning, October 4, and has since reported it to BCP Council’s anti-social behaviour (ASB) team.
He said: “I took photos of the damage this morning and have sent them across to the ASB team to have a look, residents have been telling me about this.
“It will take them a little bit of time to sort it out, as it was only sent this morning, but I’d urge anybody who wants to contact me or feel they have any input into it to speak with me.
“I’d be very happy to take on their concerns.”
Dorset Police's spokeswoman added: "We are working with the fire service to establish the cause of a number of recent fires that have occurred in Princess Road in the Branksome area.
"Officers are continuing to carry out regular activity in the area and we would encourage anyone with information or concerns to speak to a member of the local neighbourhood policing team."
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