THE directors of a local garage say they "could not believe what had happened" after they discovered their vehicle compound had been "firebombed".

Lizzie and Jon Cox from award-winning Highfield Garage and Recovery Ltd, of Spreyton, were woken at 5.50am on Monday, January 24, to discover many vehicles alight in the compound opposite their garage buildings and home.

They alerted the Fire Service and crews from North Tawton and Chagford attended.

The firefighters tackled the blaze and stopped the fire from spreading to several other vehicles parked nearby.

However, in addition to 10 vehicles being totally destroyed, many others suffered from damage.

The intensity of the fire caused bumpers to melt, as well as headlight surrounds and vehicle grills.

A windscreen on a roadside recovery vehicle cracked and had to be replaced because of heat damage.

Fire investigators later discovered that a person or persons had gained access to the perimeter of the compound through a field and believed that a "firebomb" had been thrown over the compound fence.

Jon Cox told the Courier: "I just don't know why someone would want to do it?

"Many of the vehicles which were totally burnt out were in for repair following road accidents.

"It has been horrendous trying to sort everything out.

"We have checked our CCTV and can see a vehicle leaving the scene at about that time.

"The police are investigating but I don't know if they will catch whoever did it.

"It is just unbelievable."

Locally, there has been speculation as to why someone would want to do such a thing and rumours abound.

One person, who did not want to be named, said: "I think whoever did it was trying to get rid of some evidence following a road accident but I don't really know."

Highfield Garage was started in 1982 and has always been located in Spreyton parish.

It received the AA Contractor of the Year finalist award in 2008, ahead of 270 other contractors from across the country, in recognition of the outstanding service it provides its customers.

It won the accolade for the service it provides to AA members.

The breakdown company monitored the garage throughout the year and judged it on aspects such as its speed in getting to breakdowns, the number of vehicles fixed at the roadside and the general day-to-day service the garage provides.

Highfield Garage was also

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recently the winner of the RAC Regional Contractor Partner of the Year competition.

The garage offers repairs, MOT, tyres, breakdown and recovery diagnostics.

The family business employs 14 people and provides a 24-hour breakdown service in a 20-mile radius.

It operates 14 breakdown and recovery vehicles and is accredited with ISO 9001 and PAS 43, which recognises the quality standard it achieves.

Highfield Garage provides not only a service to the public but also for Devon and Cornwall Police and the military.

Okehampton Police are seeking witnesses who may have seen a vehicle or persons acting suspiciously around the area at the time of the arson.

If you can help, please telephone the police on 08452 777444 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 and quote crime reference JO/11/58.