A BORDON garage has been left counting the cost this week after two suspicious blazes at the weekend.

The first attack happened during the early hours of Friday when petrol was doused on the workshops and offices at Bordon Tyre and Exhaust Centre, but firefighters managed to keep the fire under control.

However, just three days later firefighters were again called to the garage, on the Woolmer Industrial Estate, to tackle another blaze.

Around 30 firefighters from Bordon, Liphook, Grayshott, Alton and Basingstoke spent around five hours battling the second fire in the early hours of Monday.

The blaze resulted in the closure of part of the main A325 road alongside the trading estate.

Other units on the industrial estate in Woolmer Way were also closed due to the potential danger caused by flammable material stored on the premises.

David Askew, spokesperson for Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, told The Herald that firefighters stayed on the premises for around 12 hours, before handing the investigation over to police.

ÒThere was an oxygen cylinder, an acetylene cylinder and two propane cylinders which although they were empty are still extremely dangerous,Ó said Mr Askew.

ÒAnd because of the danger of the cylinders, we had the emergency planning officer contacted in case we needed to vacate the area.

ÒWe had a problem with the acetylene cylinders because they take quite a long time to cool down.

ÒAlthough the actual fire was out, if the gas inside is still at a critical temperature we have to vacate the immediate area where the cylinders are and then assess whether or not we can move them.

ÒYou can put them in a tank of water and then you can leave them where they are. You leave if for so many hours and then you can move it. If the thing is venting off and not lit you just leave it to burn out. If the pressure builds up to such an extent it can actually explode.

ÒThey had crews with the hoses on to the cylinders until about 7-44 am and they stayed there until about 2-44 pm when the investigation was handed over to the police.

ÒThis was the second fire there over the weekend. We were called out there on the 24th as well at 1-44 am apparently somebody had doused the premises with petrol and set light to it but we dealt with that quite quickly and again it was handed over to the police.Ó

The industrial unit, which housed the garage, was let from East Hampshire District Council and Chris Fairhead, the councilÕs land and property manager, said it was not yet clear whether the unit would have to be rebuilt.

ÒThis is very much in the early stages,Ó said Mr Fairhead.

ÒThe insurers have been notified and they are sending out their people to look at the premises. Until we have looked at that we wonÕt know what the next step is.

ÒThere is obviously the intention to rebuild it. All the units are insured and are let from the district council. The building is still standing but we donÕt know how damaged it is yet. Intensive fire and heat can cause all sorts of structural damage and that is what will have to be investigated.Ó

Alton police are now appealing for witnesses to both fires.

Detective sergeant Ben Snuggs said: ÒFollowing our initial investigations, the circumstances surrounding how the fire started appear to be suspicious.

ÒWe would like to appeal to anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in the area of the Woolmer Industrial Estate around the time of the incident to contact the investigation team at Alton CID.Ó

Anyone with any information is urged to contact Alton CID on 0845 045 45 45 or alternatively contact the free anonymous Crimestoppers number in confidence on 0800 555 111.