Suspicious blaze destroys farm vehicles in North

Detectives were today probing a suspicious blaze which destroyed almost 40 agricultural vehicles.

Detectives in the North are today probing a suspicious blaze which destroyed almost 40 agricultural vehicles.

It is feared the financial cost of the inferno in Co Down could rise to more than half a million pounds.

The fire broke out at E.J Tractors, a farm machinery retail plant owned by Eric Johnson, shortly before 11pm.

Firefighters battled throughout the night to contain the blaze and stop it spreading to other buildings, including Mr Johnson's house.

The PSNI said approximately 38 agricultural vehicles were destroyed.

The scene on Ballygowan Road, Comber, remains cordoned off as police and fire officers investigate the cause of the blaze.

A police spokeswoman said the fire is being treated as suspicious and urged people who spotted anyone in the area at the time to contact detectives at Bangor.

Councillor Jonathan Bell, of Ards District Policing Partnership, said he was deeply shocked and saddened at the fire and particularly concerned that it may have been started deliberately.

"Comber has woken up this morning to devastating news," he said.

"To lose 30 tractors and other machinery valued in the region of half a million pounds is truly traumatic.

"Our thoughts are with the owners and their family circle. Facing this in the mouth of Christmas is horrendous.

"As we recoil at the suggestion that this devastation may be deliberate I urge anyone who can help the police to do so."