Family woke to 'loud bangs, flames and black smoke' after coach depot fire

The fire ripped through the Johnson's Coaches site at Henley-in-Arden early yesterday, Saturday, November 30



Flames and thick black plumes of smoke could be seen rising high in the air as several buses at a coach depot caught fire. Dramatic photos have emerged from the scene of the blaze at premises used by Johnson's Coaches at Henley-in-Arden.

One resident, whose home backs onto the depot, was awoken by 'loud bangs' at 2am on Saturday, November 30. Warwickshire Police is investigating and was still dealing with the incident hours later.

Sharing the first photos of the scene, the resident told BirminghamLive: "Our houses all back onto Johnson's Coaches. We were awoken at 2am by loud bangs. When we looked out if the window we could see a plumes of thick black smoke and high flames. I called the fire brigade immediately but they were already aware.

"Thankfully for us it was calm weather, if the wind was blowing in the opposite direction it might have been a different story, as the embers were blown in the opposite direction to our homes.

"These pictures were taken from our kitchen window. Thank goodness no one was hurt." No-one was injured in the incident, Johnson's Coaches confirmed.

It said on social media: "We are aware of the fire incident at our depot and we are working with the police and fire services to address the situation. Everyone is safe. Thank you."

Four fire crews were sent to the scene in Liveridge Hill after the first call at 1.30am. A spokesman for Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service told BirminghamLive: "We attended after the first call came in at 1.30am. We had four appliances in attendance. Police are taking primacy of this incident."

Warwickshire Police said officers were still dealing with the incident at 11am on Saturday and would release more information as it became available. The force could only confirm an investigation was ongoing.

Man charged with arson over coach depot fire



A man has been charged in connection with a suspected arson at a depot that saw multiple coaches and cars catch fire.

Firefighters were called to the blaze at the Johnsons Coaches headquarters on Liveridge Hill, Henley-in-Arden, at about 01:40 GMT on Saturday.

Christopher White, 29, of Croome Close in Redditch, Worcestershire, was arrested at the scene and has since been charged with arson, not endangering life.

He was remanded in custody to next appear before Warwick Crown Court on 6 January, Warwickshire Police said.

Five coaches and six cars parked in the vicinity all caught fire during the incident.

Johnsons Coaches said in a post on Facebook that it was "actively working" with police and fire services.

"We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the police and fire services for their prompt response and dedicated efforts," a company spokesperson added.

Man denies causing coach depot fire



A man has pleaded not guilty to causing a fire that damaged multiple coaches and cars at a depot in Warwickshire.

Firefighters were called to the blaze at the Johnsons Coaches headquarters on Liveridge Hill, Henley-in-Arden, at about 01:40 GMT on Saturday.

Christopher White, 29, of Croome Close in Redditch, Worcestershire, was later charged with arson, not endangering life.

He appeared at Warwick Crown Court on Tuesday to deny the charge, and a two-day trial is now set to take place at the same location from 29 May.

According to Warwickshire Police, five coaches and six cars parked in the vicinity all caught fire during the incident.

In a post on Facebook, Johnsons Coaches said: "We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the police and fire services for their prompt response and dedicated efforts."