A fire that engulfed a Stevenage garden fence, patio furniture and a sofa is being investigated as arson – and police have today appealed for witnesses.

The suspected arson happened at about 10pm on Friday, July 20, when a 6ft-tall pile of cardboard caught light in Ascot Crescent.

The cardboard was stacked up against a rear garden fence, to which the fire spread before setting alight patio furniture and a sofa.

Det Con Karen Dewar, who is investigating, said: “We are treating the fire as suspected arson. Luckily, nobody was injured but the outcome could have potentially been devastating.

“Significant damage was caused, including smoke damage to the brick wall of the house – and the heat of the flames melted the guttering.

“I am appealing for anyone who might have seen what happened, or may have seen suspicious activity in the area around the time of the fire, to please get in touch with me. The information could be vital to our investigation.”

Anyone with information should call 101 or email karen.dewar@herts.pnn.police.uk, quoting crime reference 41/19668/18, or get in touch at herts.police.uk/report.

Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or crimestoppers-uk.org.