Police say car fire in Dereham is being treated as arson

The car that was set on fire. Picture: Archant (Image: Archant)

The blue VW Golf estate was set on fire on Lilac Close, Dereham, and police have now confirmed that it appears to have been deliberate.

No-one is thought to have been injured in the blaze.

Dereham resident Rhianna Wood was on her way to work and saw the burning car.

She said: 'I saw black smoke, which I initially thought could be a chimney. As I got closer it seemed like it was coming from the trees behind the houses.

'I saw a gentleman walking and asked him if he knew what it was but he didn't. We detoured down Lilac Close and as I did I saw a car on fire. It looked as though it had been burning a little while before I got there.

'The car was fully on fire and nearly catching fire to the trees. I didn't want to get too close in case it exploded.'

When the car was set alight some residents were woken by loud bangs and compared the sounds to fireworks or gunshots.

Tira Thomas said: 'It sounded like small bangs, like small fireworks from where I live in Toftwood. I'm not sure of the time I heard it but it was loud enough to wake me.

'It didn't last long though and I thought it was possibly thunder cracking like the other week, which also woke me up. It didn't manage to wake my children up though.

It wasn't until I saw it mentioned on social media this morning that I put two and two together. I feel awful for the people who have lost their car.'

Meanwhile resident Charlie Wood said: 'There were three very loud bangs, I thought they were gun shots.

'Then there was a 20 to 30 second horn sound. I thought someone had been shot and was holding their hand on horn to get attention. I jumped out of bed and saw thick black smoke.

'That's when I dialled 999.'

If you witnessed the incident or have any information, call Norfolk Police on 101.

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