Walberton arsonist on prowl

The possibility of a fire-raiser in the area has arisen after a second fire in Yapton Lane in eight days.

A West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: 'The two fires are in the same road and almost within sight of each other. We definitely think the fire last Wednesday was deliberately started. Our fire investigation officer is now looking to see if it is linked to the previous fire.'

The latest blaze in Yapton Lane was deliberately started in a single-storey barn measuring 20m by 5m. It was well alight by the time two fire crews from Chichester and Arundel arrived after the alarm had been raised at 7.11pm last Wednesday. They were at the site until almost 9pm.

Ten tonnes of baled straw and refuse were contained in the burning barn. One-fifth of the structure was severely damaged by the flames. The rest was damaged by heat and smoke.

The firefighters created a water dam from a water carrier and set up a water shuttle from a nearby hydrant to tackle the flames. A mechanical digger was used to help turn over and damp down the affected area.

The previous fire occurred the previous Tuesday at a farm shed used for storing furniture. Again, the fire and smoke damaged 20 per cent of the building. Its asbestos roof was also affected. At the time, the cause of the fire was being investigated as potentially suspicious.