Thorley Park arson spree: Bishop's Stortford fire station watch commander slams youths

A Bishop's Stortford fire chief has slammed a group of youths who went on an arson spree in the Thorley Park area of the town on Thursday evening (January 20).

Firefighters from the Patmore Close fire station were called to at least five incidents, including two bin fires in Villiers-sur-Marne Avenue at 6.45pm and a large tree alight in Mathams Drive.

They also attended a small bonfire at the back of the Harvest Moon pub in Friedberg Avenue and the play area by Sainsbury's supermarket at Thorley Neighbourhood Centre, after reports of a bin on fire.

Watch commander Nick Cramer said: "At one point we had two fire engines dealing with minor fires. For 20 minutes there wasn't a pump available – God forbid if we'd had a serious fire as they would have had to wait."

He added: "The youths responsible obviously did not think of the disruption caused."

Firefighters have liaised with police to track down the culprits.