15 buses destroyed in second arson attack on Diamond buses in 12 months
Fifteen buses were seriously damaged at a Tividale industrial estate after the second arson attack on a bus firm in 12 months.
Flames ripped through the eight Diamond buses on Tuesday night, which were parked up at Autobase Industrial Estate off Tipton Road.
Twenty firefighters battled the blaze for around two hours after the alarm was raised at 9.10pm. The fire caused up to £150,000 worth of damage, police say.
It comes after six Diamond buses were destroyed at the site in January.
A West Midlands Police spokesman said: "Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on buses at a depot on Tipton Road in Tividale.
"Officers were contacted by the West Midlands Fire Service at around 9.40pm after 15 buses were set on fire.
"It’s estimated that the fire has caused between £75,000 and £150,000 worth of damage.
"Sergeant Richard Bird from force CID, said: "This is a serious act of criminal damage which could have harmed many people, we’re taking this matter seriously and have launched an investigation.
“We’re working to secure evidence that will enable us to identify whoever is responsible. I’d urge those with information to get in touch."
A spokesman for Diamond Bus said: "We are currently cooperating with the police investigation and understand that CCTV evidence shows individuals leaving the site.
"We are reviewing our systems following the second incident in a year at this location.
"A number of vehicles were damaged as a result of the attack.
" All of the vehicles that were damaged were parked up to be sold and not part of our daily operations, so thankfully this did not have an impact to our service delivery this morning."
In the January arson attack, all six buses were scrap vehicles.
The incident also prompted a police investigation.
West Midlands Fire Service spokesman Neil Spencer said: "We had a call a 9.10pm to the Autobase Industrial Estate, off Tipton Road in Tividale, about a large vehicle on fire. It was reported to us in a 999 call.
"We sent about 20 firefighters on four fire engines and one brigade response vehicle to the scene. The first crews were on the scene within five minutes.
"Our stock message says this incident involved around eight single and double decker buses in a parking area. They were all seriously damaged by the fire and we suspect this was arson. The fire was out by 11pm."
Anyone with information should contact police and quote crime number 20SW/238532B/19.
