The blaze quickly spread after a single shed was set alight destroying the entire site
A devastating deliberate fire has ruined a charity allotment site in Newport.
The blaze quickly spread after a single shed was set alight destroying the entire site.
Roots, an offset of charity Vision 21, is an allotment-based learning environment for people with extra learning needs. It provides them with a realistic environment in which to learn.
Project Leader, Lionel Blair, described the results as “devastating to us all”.
He said: “One of our learners came to see the site after it was burnt down, they were in tears, they are totally devastated, they love coming here and so do us volunteers.”
“We were progressing so well, we had taken on more students and more work but now this”.
The fire is the latest in a spat of incidents experienced by the charity this year.
In October, pumpkins were smashed and stolen from the same site.
Mr Blair added: “The previous (incidents) were very petty, but this is just really bad, it is just totally mindless.
“They haven’t considered the knock on effects for us all.”
As well as the allotments a main office also suffered smoke and water damage.
Mr Blair said: “The learners love it here, they are devastated and now because of this act of vandalism, they have nowhere to go”.
Roots hope to reopen in the New Year.
“We’re putting a plan together, we can’t stay shut, that would be letting them win” Mr Blair added said.
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