AN arson victim is counting the cost of a second fire on her land just weeks after her caravan was torched by vandals.

Sue Eagle, 68, was alerted to the sight of thick black smoke filling the air above her land, off the A120 near Ramsey, at around 7.15pm on Thursday.

The freshly farmed hay field usually plays host to Sue’s grazing horses but she is keeping the animals safely locked away while police investigate the earlier fire.

She fears young vandals are to blame.

On June 30, arsonists destroyed her caravan used to store horse rugs.

The vandals ransacked and damaged the vehicle before setting it ablaze.

She said: “I don’t know what else I can do apart from what my friend suggested - sit down there with a shotgun and wait.

“The farmer now has to reseed the field.

“It is very worrying. My horses should be in the field right next to it but I won’t move them, the fences were kicked down.

“The horses are in wooden stables, I worry they’ll set light to them next.

“I have to go to the police station to make a statement.

“This is arson plain and simple.”

An Essex Fire Service spokesman confirmed two engines were sent to extinguish the flames at around 6.55pm.

He said: “Crews worked hard to extinguish the fire by 7.23pm.

“The cause of the fire has been recorded as undetermined.”

Essex Police confirmed officers are investigating the destruction of the caravan.

Sue suspects a group of teenagers to be responsible.

She said: “I am recovering from a broken leg, but I managed to drive down and have a look.

“There was so much smoke and the fire engines were already there.

“Apparently the firefighters were driving along the A120 and noticed three boys who had their heads down and covered their faces as they passed.

“We’ve never had any problem with fires, just with people coming onto the land and roaring around on motorbikes.

“We caught them last Sunday night and two of them scarpered.

“We don’t mind them coming down the road on bikes or even onto the field, but there is no need for this. Why damage everything in sight?”

Anyone with information can contact Essex Police on 101 quoting crime reference number 42/106364/19.