Emergency services were called to Oxford Street, just off Edwin Street in Boston, on Sunday night following a deliberately started fire that caused significant damage and forced residents to evacuate their homes.
Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue responded to reports of a vehicle fire at 9:51pm. Upon arrival, crews found a car fully alight alongside burning conifer trees and a quantity of general rubbish beside a public footpath linking Oxford Street and Edwin Street.
Nearby residents reported hearing a loud pop before plumes of smoke and large flames filled the sky.
One local eyewitness said: “There was a small explosion, then all of a sudden the whole area lit up with flames. The heat was intense — people were running outside, worried it would spread to the houses.”
Firefighters tackled the blaze using two hose reels and wore two sets of breathing apparatus for safety. The fire caused severe damage to one vehicle, three trees, and a large pile of rubbish.
Lincolnshire Police evacuated nearby properties as a precaution around 10pm, and the fire was fully extinguished by 10:30pm.
Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue has confirmed the cause of the fire was deliberate.
A spokesperson said: “Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue attended a vehicle fire on Oxford Street at 21:51hrs. There was severe fire damage to one vehicle, three trees, and a quantity of general rubbish. The fire was extinguished using two hose reels and two breathing apparatus. The cause has been determined as deliberate.”
Police are now investigating and are appealing for witnesses, CCTV, or any information relating to suspicious activity in the area before or during the incident. Anyone with information is urged to contact Lincolnshire Police on 101, quoting the relevant incident number.
