ARSON attacks in the run up to bonfire night have been the worst for years, according to Andover firefighters.
From Saturday to Wednesday there were 19 deliberately set fires in the Roman Way, River Way and Cricketers Way areas.
Most of them involved wheelie bins and rubbish fires, but a box van parked in Venice Court was set ablaze on Monday and a caravan in Verity Square was torched in the early hours of Wednesday. Fortunately, nobody was hurt in any of the attacks.
Andover fire chief Robin Furniss said: "We are becoming concerned by the number of arsons in the area because while we are dealing with these we can't deal with emergencies elsewhere.
"It is the worst for years. Compared with last year, for example, there were 13 arsons in the same period.
"We would appeal to parents to make sure that their children know just how dangerous this sort of behaviour can be."
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