Bonfire destroyed in suspected arson attack

A bonfire which took weeks to get ready for a village's fundraising event was burned down early by suspected arsonists.

Ripley Bonfire, which normally attracts more than 10,000 visitors to the event in the village of Ripley in Surrey, seemed under threat after the bonfire which had been made ready for Saturday was torched overnight.

But the event's organiser Joe Ayears from the Ripley Bonfire Society said "everybody has clubbed together" to ensure the fundraising event goes ahead as planned.

Surrey Police said it received a report of arson near the bonfire site in High Street at about 01:20 BST on Tuesday morning.

Surrey Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said it also attended an "out-of-control bonfire" at 00:57 and left the scene at 03:29.

Lots of people have been offering help since Tuesday morning, said Mr Ayears

Mr Ayears said there are now enough materials for a replacement bonfire, thanks to various donations from the public.

But the bonfire, which had been constructed over the last five weeks by about 40 volunteers, will now have to be replaced in just a few days.

"We're heading in the right direction, we've got enough material now," said Mr Ayears.

"We're going to have plenty of help on Thursday from 8am in the morning to come down to rebuild it."

When asked how the structure will be completed in time, Mr Ayears replied: "Grit our teeth - hard work and determination."

He added that the reaction to the suspected arson incident had shown him that "Ripley still is a village, and we still have a community spirit".

He said: "What reaction is there to it? Unfortunately these things happen in the society we live in now, but we can only see the positives from it, from the community."

All proceeds from the event will go towards the Ripley Over 60s Club and other local organisations, he added.

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