Firebomb terror at taxi office
A MAN who survived a shocking firebomb attack on a city taxi firm has spoken of how his office turned into a terrifying "wall of flames".
Keith Manchip, a controller and driver for Southway-based Starcars, described the attack as 'savage'.
Detectives are now hunting a teenage 'hoody' who they believe threw a bottle containing flammable liquid into the office and fled as the fire rapidly took hold late on Tuesday evening.
Mr Manchip was taking a booking on the telephone when the drama began without any warning at 10.20pm at the firm's offices in Southway Drive.
He told The Herald: "I glanced up and saw a figure walk through the front door towards the glass-fronted partition in front of me.
"The first thing I noticed was the orange glow in his hand I could see through the window.
"I then saw him raise his arm and launch something at the glass.
"The bottle shattered and the whole of the wall was then covered in flames. It was suddenly a wall of flames.
"I was scared and I'm not afraid to admit that. It was a savage attack."
Emergency services have praised the actions of Mr Manchip, who is 42 and lives in Laira.
He managed to escape as flames engulfed the building, pausing only to grab a gas heating cylinder to prevent it exploding.
Firefighters said the canister could have exploded and caused a serious risk to lives.
Mr Manchip said: "I just did what anyone would have done in the circumstances.
"The whole thing was just very surreal. Even thinking back to it now it's still scary."
Police say they are treating the incident as arson.
A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall police said: "Reports suggest someone threw something inside the building, either through the letter box or through a window.
"We are conducting house- to-house enquiries and looking at CCTV footage of the scene."
Yesterday the boss of the taxi firm told The Herald it was lucky no-one was hurt in the attack.
Gary Greenaway, a partner at Starcars, said he was "appalled".
He said: "Keith told me that a teenager in a white hoody appeared in the open door to the office and threw a bottle in.
"It exploded on impact and then the teenager ran away."
Mr Greenaway said many of his drivers were listening to Mr Manchip at the time and they heard him shout before the line went dead.
He said: "We called the fire brigade straight away and they were there almost immediately to put out the fire.
"Amazingly, Keith was unhurt. It could have been a tragedy.
"In fact, it was so lucky that no-one was hurt.
"I am appalled by the attack. We haven't got a clue who the culprit was or why Starcars would be targeted.
"We just want to make sure the culprit is caught quickly."
Three fire crews from Camels Head and Crownhill attended the scene of the fire together with police officers.
Scenes of crime officers also attended alongside fire investigators.
"It is believed that a bottle containing a flammable liquid was thrown into the office," said Dave Case, a watch commander at Crownhill Fire Station.
"The male taxi controller who was on duty at the time within the premises had to make his escape. He was very shocked obviously.
"This could have ended in tragedy without a doubt. There was the potential of serious injury.
"We would like to pay tribute to the quick thinking of the controller who grabbed a gas cylinder on his way out of the office.
"He also made us aware of another portable gas heater.
"It was a good effort on his behalf and prevented a more serious situation."
The office was seriously damaged in the attack, although the firm began operating again by 1am yesterday from a mobile unit.
The company has stressed to the public they can still take orders for cabs.
Meanwhile, police have issued a description of the youth they are seeking in connection with their enquiries.
He is said to be white, aged between 15 and 17, with dark hair. He was wearing a hooded top.
Anyone with any details is urged to call the police on 08452 777444 or the confidential Crimestoppers number, 0800 555111, quoting the crime reference number EL/08/5643.
Login
Register
FAQ
