Arson attack threatens horses

2:23pm Monday 28th April 2008

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A FIRE at a stables near Malvern which threatened the lives of two horses is being treated as suspected arson.

Police were called to a block of eight stables in North End Lane, Madresfield, after a passer-by had spotted the fire.

The stables are in a field, which has a public footpath running through it, and at some point between 3pm and 4pm on Saturday, April 19, one or more offenders are believed to have entered the far left-hand stable and set fire to a bale of hay.

Damage was caused to the inside of the stable.

PC Matthew Cartwright, investigating, said: "Someone walking their dog saw smoke coming from the stable and put the fire, which was by this time only smouldering, out.

"This incident could have been a lot more serious due to the nature of the materials kept in the stables.

"There were two horses in stables connecting to the one where the fire took place and these animals could easily have been injured if the fire had become any bigger."

Anyone with information or who saw anything suspicious in the area at the time is being asked to call police on 08457 444888, quoting 243/N/190408, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.