Local news has reported further details on the firebombing of two outlets belonging to a tyre company in Surrey. According to the Croydon Advertiser, the Coulsdon and Croydon premises of RSR Tyres had windows smashed and accelerants thrown inside within a 20-minute timeframe between 12.30am and 1.00am on the morning of May 28.

Managing director John Mullane told the Advertiser that he doesn’t believe this to be a random attack. “This is not just vandalism,” he said. “We have been targeted. I have to admit we are scared.” Mr. Mullane added he does not know who would possibly have such a grudge against himself or the company.

“From talking to the police and the fire brigade and the fact the fires occurred over such a short space of time, it is clear to me they are connected and it is arson. We have been told some kind of accelerant – we don’t know if it was petrol – was thrown in through the windows to start the fires.” The fires were described as “suspicious” by a Metropolitan Police spokesman.

The Coulsdon fire was confined to the building’s office, however Mr. Mullane believes that had it spread a few feet further it would have set the main tyre warehouse containing 12,000 tyres ablaze. Even so it is thought the damage bill will run into thousands of pounds. The Coulsdon and Croydon RSR Tyres outlets are 4.5 miles apart and belong to a chain of 14 businesses located in the region. Security at all the company’s premises has been increased to counter the possibility of further attacks.