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A man has been arrested on suspicion of arson after a fire tore through a car park used by people flying from Gatwick airport, destroying about 140 vehicles.
The blaze erupted at Caldyne business park near Crawley, about eight miles from the airport just after 9pm on Saturday. Images showed vehicles on fire and enormous plumes of smoke rising close to overhead power lines.
As well as causing misery for those returning from summer holidays to find their cars destroyed, the fire led to power cuts at more than 2,000 businesses and homes.
Emergency services described extinguishing the blaze as a “significant and complex” operation, with eight fire engines and water carriers deployed to bring it under control.
UK Power Networks, which operates the electricity network across south-east England, had to isolate an overhead power cable while crews worked below.
A spokesperson for West Sussex fire and rescue service said: “Approximately 140 vehicles were damaged, and a number of the vehicles involved in this fire were parked at a site used for holiday parking. Any affected consumers are advised to contact their operator directly.”
There were no casualties, it said.
The fire also caused significant damage to two breakdown and recovery businesses and a banger racing team.
The Bears banger racing team said in a fundraiser that they had lost everything.
Autocovery and K&L Automotive had also previously donated abandoned vehicles to fire stations across West Sussex for training purposes, according to local reports.
Sussex police said a 67-year-old man arrested on suspicion of arson had been bailed pending further inquiries.
“Power was shut off to the immediate area, affecting a number of businesses and homes, and nearby roads were closed as a precaution,” a spokesperson said.
“Emergency services remain on scene at this time and the public are advised to avoid the area.”
A London Gatwick spokesperson said: “We are aware of a fire at an unaffiliated third-party car parking site, which occurred on Saturday evening, and understand how concerning and distressing this will be for any passengers whose vehicles may have been affected.
“We are advising any passengers who are concerned that their vehicle might have been affected to contact their parking operator directly.
“The parking company is not endorsed or operated by London Gatwick.”
Police said anyone with information about the incident was asked to report it online or call 101, quoting serial number 1504.
