POLICE are hunting for the serial arsonists who set fire to five cars in a Chelmsford street over two days.
Matthew Bishop, 21, was among the victims whose cars were targeted in Thames Avenue on the Chignal estate overnight on February 19 and 20.
The postal worker from Braintree was visiting a friend in nearby Tyne Way because they planned to go into the city for a pal's 21st birthday celebrations at 8pm on Wednesday, February 20.
But 20 minutes later he noticed a bright orange light through the window and stepped outside to find his Volkswagen Golf ablaze.
He told the Chronicle: "There was a small explosion when the engine blew up which scared everyone. The car is a write-off. I am devastated to be honest.
"My car is my livelihood, I work as a supervisor in McColl's Post Office in Colchester and I need my car to take me to work every day.
"From what I heard from people around the street the arsonist was looking for someone with a Golf so I have obviously been caught up in the cross fire of something big.
"But even so, if there is something going on, it does not warrant someone's car being set on fire.
"I don't know what I am going to do now. I will probably have to take a bus to work or stay at a friend's house in Colchester."
The fire also caused damage to a VW Polo parked next to Matthew's motor.
Matthew said that there were a few people walking along the road that evening, and one man witnessed the attack.
He stayed round his friend's house, on Tyne Way, while he waited for his dad to pick him up the next day to take him back to Braintree.
The first attack was reported to police shortly before 10pm on February 19 after a silver Ford Mondeo and a black VW Golf were set alight. Firefighters attended and both vehicles were extinguished with minor damage.
The following day, after Matthew's VW Golf was set alight, causing damage to a VW Polo parked nearby, a further attempt was also made to set fire to the silver Ford Mondeo from the previous day, but the blaze failed to take hold.
Witnesses reported two men dressed in black clothing running out of the road towards the Melbourne area.
Following initial enquiries into the attack police arrested an 18-year-old Chelmsford man on suspicion of arson.
He was interviewed and released on police bail pending further enquiries to report back to officers on March 7.
Sgt Barry Atkinson said: "We have made one arrest but we believe more than one individual has been involved and would like to hear from anyone with information which might help us identify further suspects.
"We will also be carrying out further patrols in the area."
Anyone with information can contact Essex Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
