KEEN gardeners have been left to count the cost after three allotment sheds were destroyed when they “went up like a bonfire.”

The sheds, each positioned meters apart at the Irvine Road allotments, Colchester, separately caught fire in a blaze which officials believe was started deliberately.

The allotments, which are owned by Colchester Council, are home to around 110 individual patches and are surrounded by high fencing.

Will Emrich, vice-chairman of the Irvine Road Residents’ Association, voiced his dismay at the destruction caused by the late-night blaze.

He said: “If it is deliberate, then the first question is how did they get in?

“There is 7ft fencing around the allotments, so they would have had to be pretty determined to get in.

“The second question is why would anyone do this? It is senseless, mindless vandalism and it is such a shame.

He added: “We have had a good run over the past few years, but this is horrible to hear.

“Last year one of the chaps had his shed burned, but this seems to be targeted.

“There are 100 or so sheds, the people who use them are quite regular gardeners.

“They won’t be full of paint or equipment thankfully.

“They are all wooden so unfortunately must have gone up like a bonfire.”

An Essex Police spokesman said investigations into the cause of the blaze were being led by Essex Fire Service.

The fires took hold at around 1.46am this morning but fire crews extinguished them by 2.32am.

Tina Bourne, Colchester councillor responsible for housing, said: “I simply cannot comprehend why anyone would want to commit such acts of mindless vandalism and destroy other people’s property like that.

“So much effort and careful work goes into maintaining an allotment - they really are people’s pride and joy, almost a home from home, and ought to be a haven of peace and tranquillity.

“I would like to reassure all those affected by these arson attacks, we will offer whatever practical help we can with the clean-up and to secure the site.”

“In the meantime, I would urge anyone with any information to share it with the police or the council.”