Man arrested following blaze at council offices

THAMES Valley Police is currently investigating two other fires in Wallingford area, as well as that at the offices of South Oxfordshire District Council, which they believe was started deliberately, about 3am this morning.

Image courtesy of facebook.com

Officers were called at 3.24am to Benson Lane, Crowmarsh Gifford where a fire was reported at South Oxfordshire District Council building and another at a nearby commercial property (a Funeral Parlour). At 3.41am officers were called to a third fire at a property (a thatched cottage) in Quakers Corner, Roke Marsh.

A police spokesperson said: “At this stage the police investigation is focusing on all three fires being linked and are believed to be suspicious. It is believed that a vehicle collided with the SODC building prior to the fire.

“There are cordons in place at all three locations and residents and motorists are asked to avoid these areas.

“Nobody has been reported injured at this time as a result of these fires, however following these fires the structures of the buildings affected are being examined for safety.”

It has been widely reported that a vehicle containing gas cylinders was driven into the front reception area of the council building. Bomb disposal technicians have been examining the building, which is no longer blazing.

A 47-year-old local man has been arrested on suspicion of arson and is currently in custody.

SODC’s website is currently down, but they have set up an emergency site, which includes the latest information about which services are expected to be affected and contact details. https://southandvalecouncils.wordpress.com/2015/01/15/latest-update-from-south-oxfordshire-and-vale-of-white-horse-district-councils/